Donya is one of the seven subjects at the heart of our current Resilience in Clay exhibition by Kate Viner. Donya has lived in the UK for two years, ‘after having to leave her country, Iran, with her brother. Here the 28-year-old speaks to us about her involvement in the exhibition, including a Zine she designed in response to the project.
How does it feel to be part of this exhibition?
I feel proud to be part of it. It is usually famous people celebrated in this way, and normal people like me don't get the opportunity to be part of something like this.
The first time I came to Chichester, the whole area was so new. I found it hard to handle myself as I didn't know anything or anyone, but after a while I met people through Sanctuary in Chichester. I needed the help and connection they provided to feel part of a community and other people probably need the same - even English people - it is so important to be part of a community.
What do you hope visitors will take away from the exhibition?
I hope that they enjoy and appreciate the art, but I also hope that they try to understand that people from outside of the UK, who look different or speak a different language, are just like them. It is so difficult to be involved in a new community, especially when the language is different which makes it harder to express feelings or needs.
I hope the exhibition connects people, encouraging them to be welcoming and not to misjudge. The people of Chichester have been amazing, so accepting and kind.
How does it feel to see the exhibition in the cathedral setting?
Chichester Cathedral is so old and full of history, seeing the sculpture of me and my fellow subjects within this setting feels very spiritual and emotional.
Have you discovered anything about yourself during this process?
Creating the Zine really helped me - I didn't expect Kate to ask me to create this but she believed in me more than I did myself, she said just go for it! This is an important first step for me as I would like to become a designer, so having someone like Kate helping me on that journey was great.
I used to draw and when I was a teenager I was always drawn to art, but I doubted myself. This opportunity has given me the confidence to create something I am really proud of.
Throughout the whole process of sitting for my sculpture I was so nervous. I wanted my eyes to be down, but Kate changed it so my eyes look up. After seeing the sculpture I can see the worry and also the hope in my eyes – I have faced lots of challenges but I need to keep hope. Kate helped me to see that it is important to embrace those feelings and not hide them to appear strong.
Does art help you effectively communicate your thoughts and feelings?
The history of art and music has always been to express feelings and thoughts - I want to do the same through my artwork. I have ADHD and so I can find it hard to focus for a long time. In creating the Zine, I found something that helped me focus and relax, but also produce something at the end.
Tell us more about the Zine you created?
Kate wanted me to capture everything about the exhibition within the Zine - the words, the sculptures, the art and the background story. It was important to me to get this right. I started one and then deleted and started again - I wanted to do something good for Kate.
What messages and themes are carried through the Zine?
The message within the Zine is the same as the exhibition – to give people more understanding of the situation others are in and encourage kindness and acceptance. Not judge a person on their country, skin colour or language. All of us are human - we can be teachers, mothers, brothers, artists - but we need support from other people to build a future in a new place.
I really appreciate all the help I've had from Kate, the people at Sanctuary in Chichester and the kindness everyone in this city has shown me. I feel confident in myself and at peace. I'm so proud to be part of the exhibition.