In Limbo
In Limbo exhibition is a collaboration between Natasa Leoni (photographer) and Hermione Berendt who are both long-term volunteers and campaigners in the charity and migrant solidarity sector. Many people do not know the realities of asylum hotels, so they wanted to spotlight the experiences of adults and children living in hotel accommodation in their city
Because of the nature of the project topic and because people are more vulnerable due to their unstable immigration status, the subjects have chosen to protect their identities. The flowers covering their faces symbolise the life, beauty and softness of the human beings behind the image. They also create a powerful juxtaposition to the harsh realities of people’s experiences in the hotels and the experiences which led them to flee their countries.
Alongside the anonymous portraits they have shared interviews with the subjects and hard-hitting facts and figures about the supposedly ‘temporary’ accommodation, the asylum system and its impacts on people's health and wellbeing.
“Living in a hotel is not good, we don’t have anything -- only a bedroom. I knew I would have to live in a hotel but I didn’t think it would be for this long or be this difficult - maybe 1 - 4 months not over a year. We are not allowed to stay away from the hotel so it makes it difficult to go and visit friends. I don’t like the food - I never eat it. I miss the food and the coffee from my country and like to cook with my friends whenever I can.”
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“It is difficult in the hotel because my room is small, very cold and my bed is uncomfortable. I also really miss being able to cook food. However, I have a lot of peace and quiet which is nice. Life in the UK is what I expected -- my country is very dangerous but here I live a tranquil life. I love Brighton, everything is very beautiful.”
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“We don’t have any money, we only have £8.86 a week. You don’t know how to spend this £8.86 - it’s so difficult. We can only dream of having the basic things - we can’t work, we can’t do anything. My room in the hotel is like a prison for me. When you want to go outside, they check where you go and when you will be back. Even if we want to visit our friend we can’t stay away longer than 2-3 days or they will call the Home Office. I don’t feel free here.”
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“Living in the hotel is difficult for us because we don’t have enough space to live comfortably like we did before. Me and my son share our room. We also can’t cook our own food or have a normal life. I really miss having my own space, being able to have my things organized and being able to cook and eat well. The food isn’t nice and is very different from what we are used to eating. Me and my son both now have stomach problems.”
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“My life was threatened so I left. I feel safe here, Alhamdulillah. I have made some good friends in the hotel but life is difficult because our fate is uncertain which makes us anxious. Every day is repeated and the food isn’t always good. It can feel like a prison.”
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“People look at us in a strange way when we walk around. I see that people complain, ‘oh these asylum seekers they gather in groups and roam the streets and are scaring locals’. Instead of asking the government to remove us from the area, people should be thinking well these people are coming anyway so how can we benefit from them being here. Give them a job or volunteering opportunity. If we just stay at home with nothing to do we get depressed. You should not blame the people who try to seek safety, you are focusing on the wrong subjects.”
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Acknowledgements
Georgia Lewis. Sanctuary on Sea. Umit Ozturk. Brighton and Hove Libraries. Everyone who participated in the project. Deema Worthington. Brighton and Hove Migrant Support Network for all the work they do to counter the UK Government’s hostile environment.