LOOKING BACK AT US

Jude Hutchen's exhibition of painting, enamels and collages explores viewing others - in suffering, risking their lives at sea, crossing borders, waiting for food, running for their lives and ultimately looking back at us. This exhibition of painting, enamels and collages explores contemporary issues of viewing others - in suffering, risking their lives at sea, crossing borders, waiting for food, running for their lives and ultimately looking back at us. The work started in response to a stark photograph in 2014 used by the UN depicting hundreds of Palestinian refugees in Yarmouk camp standing perfectly still, waiting for food and staring straight to camera. Bristol hosts several of the major military aerotechnology firms responsible for devastation, forced migration and civilian death overseas. This economy underpins the city and bolsters its housing market. Bristol has also been the site of anti-immigration demonstrations, violent attacks on migrant hotels, and the display of English flags staking territory. Through looking, being aware, witnessing and simultaneously being witnessed we are connected. We are also being called to account. 'Our privileges are located on the same map as their suffering, and may - in ways we might prefer not to imagine - be linked to their suffering' (Susan Sontag).