Painter Alex Rennie announces his exhibition ‘Home from Home’ raising funds for Children on the Edge and the Rural Refugee Network.

29/7/2019

When: 24-25 September
Where: The Frestonian Gallery, West London, W11 4BE
For more information please contact: fundraising@childrenontheedge.org

British painter Alex Rennie is working on a series of paintings for a solo exhibition at The Frestonian Gallery in London. Titled Home from Home, the exhibition explores the theme of a British welcome in relation to the Syrian migrant crisis. A percentage of all sales will be donated to two charities, Children on the Edge and the Rural Refugee Network (a charity that settles Syrian refugees in rural areas).

Alex has chosen to feature some quintessentially British imagery in his work, such as teacups as a reference to moments that bring people together and sandcastles to represent the right for a child to have a childhood.

For inspiration for the exhibition, Alex spoke to both charities and held interviews with Syrian refugees who have been resettled in the UK. He said; “Speaking to Children On The Edge, an important part of their work is to provide protection for refugee children, a safe environment for them to play, to learn, to live, and empower them as they grow.”

Over the past four years Children on the Edge have been working in partnership with Lebanese NGO - Triumphant Mercy, within the refugee communities in Bekaa Valley. Together we are providing quality, child friendly education for Syrian refugee children who are unable to access government or UN school provision.

In January 2019 we transitioned from tented schools in the camps to a new school building in Zahle. The new school gives children a chance to learn with more friends, the space to play and the opportunity to get used to a more formal school environment so one day they can start going to a Lebanese school, or even a Syrian school should a return home become possible.

One of the classrooms in the new school in Zahle

Fundraising Manager Eloise Armstrong says; “We are really looking forward to the Home from Home exhibition and we would like to thank Alex for choosing to support Children on the Edge with his show. The exhibition is running for two days in September, if you are interested in attending please get in touch with the fundraising team.”

Home from Home is running for two days on 24th and 25th September, with a private viewing from 6 - 9pm on the 24th, at the Frestonian Gallery in London.
If you would like to attend the exhibition or the private viewing please email: fundraising@childrenontheedge.org