Counterpoints Arts

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Counterpoints Arts

Engaging with refugee and migrant experiences through arts and cultural programmes. I mean they could be quite antagonists with each other.

“The notion of parallel lines, that is basically a counterpoint, operating together, without the necessity of being reconciled at any one moment. If you were to freeze a moment in time, lets say in a fugue, you could hear maybe a terrible dissonance but that doesn’t matter because what matters really is a flow and flow together and the interweaving of lines ..." from The Last Interview with Edward Said

07/10/2026

Democracy is an everyday practice.

For Majid Adin (Majid Adine), it extends beyond voting and demonstrations into how we listen, treat one another and make space for people whose opinions differ from our own.

His posters use distinct colours, connected paths and shared spaces to explore living together through difference, protecting everyone’s voice and holding power accountable.

An Iranian-British artist, animator and illustrator, Majid works across film, theatre and participatory art. Known for his animated interpretation of Elton John’s Rocket Man, his practice connects personal experiences of migration, memory and belonging with wider social questions.

Created for Reimagining Democracy through Fine Acts’ SPRINTS creative bootcamp, in partnership with Counterpoints Arts and One World Or None.

The works will be available through The Greats for non-commercial use under an open licence.

Reimagining Democracy Exhibition
15–30 October 2026
Kensington Central Library, London
Free admission

06/10/2026

For Alaa Shasheet (Shasheet Alaa | علاء شاشيط), democracy means everyone having a voice, being represented and taking part in the decisions that affect society.

His poster combines a hand-painted flower with a puzzle pattern. The flower introduces ideas of peace and hope, while the puzzle reflects how different people connect, each with their own place within society. The repeated word “everyone” makes the message explicit.

A contemporary artist from Syria, based in London, Alaa works across mixed media, installation and film photography, exploring identity, displacement and everyday life through repurposed materials.

Created for Reimagining Democracy through Fine Acts’ SPRINTS creative bootcamp, in partnership with and One World Or None.

The works will be available through The Greats for non-commercial use under an open licence.

Reimagining Democracy Exhibition
15–30 October 2026
Kensington Central Library, London
Free admission

05/10/2026

Calling all artists, dancers, funders and culture workers: Join us for ‘Movement, Wellbeing & Social Change’ - a free gathering on 21 October, 6pm, at Brixton House, London.

This is an evening where titles take a back seat and people meet as people first. Through performances, conversations, movement and shared experiences, this gathering creates space for new collaborations, unexpected encounters and conversations about how movement can transform not only artistic practice but the ways we care forourselves and each other.

Presented by Counterpoints Arts as part of CASA’s programme for Lines of Flight at Brixton House.

Register in link in bio (if you’re on your phone scroll to the end of the page)

03/10/2026

Tomorrow, Sunday 4th October, is our next Scratch event.
Always led and facilitated by AWATE, supported by Southbank Centre

Six new artists will present their upcoming or work in progress, in front of live and suportive audience. They are:
Brandon Saunders, Brandon Saunders
Akiyah
Céline Barclay,
Nya Bardouillé, BODY LANGUAGE practice
Enla Arboleda, Enla Arboleda

Join us, from 6pm at Clore Ballroom, Royal Festival Hall. Tickets are free. There is always time for networking at the end.

About Us! Artist Scratch Showcase is a collaboration between Awate and Counterpoints Arts. This Scratch is supported by our partners at Southbank Centre.

Images are of Scratch, May 2026. Credit: Mohammed Moharm.

30/09/2026

How do we change the narrative around mental health for refugees and sanctuary-seeking communities?

We brought together partners, collaborators and friends for a day of conversation, reflection and collective thinking around mental health, migration and the role of the arts.

We shared what we’ve learned through our mental health work at Counterpoints Arts, the challenges we’ve encountered, and how we can move towards approaches that are more human, creative and grounded in lived experience.

The day also marked the launch of our new Mental Health Framework, a practical, values-led manifesto setting out the language, principles and thinking that shape our approach to art, migration and mental health.

Follow this space for more conversations, reflections and resources on mental health, migration and the role of the arts.

29/09/2026

What could democracy look like if we imagined it differently?

This weekend, we joined forces with Fine Acts and One World Or None to bring together ten artists from refugee and migrant backgrounds for Reimagining Democracy.

As part of Fine Acts’ SPRINTS creative bootcamp, the artists developed ten new digital artworks exploring what democracy could become — drawing inspiration from citizens’ assemblies, participatory decision-making, community-led governance and the power of ordinary people to shape the decisions that affect their lives.

Meet the artists:

Alaa Shasheet — Syria
Ganna Beilcheva — Ukraine
Lily Kong — Hong Kong
Majid Adin — Iran
Maliha Abidi — Pakistan / USA
Nadine Kaadan — Syria
Palak Garg — India
Rand Hamdallah — Palestine
Heidi Pickett — UK
Shang Salah — Kurdish-Iraqi

We’ll be sharing the artworks and the ideas behind them here soon. ✨

The works will also be freely available for movements, activists and individuals to use for non-commercial purposes under an open licence, becoming part of The Greats Fine Acts’ global platform for free social-impact visuals.

You’ll also be able to see all ten works together in London:

📍 Reimagining Democracy Exhibition
15–30 October 2026
Kensington Central Library
Free admission

28/09/2026

Winner of the Counterpoints Digital Creators Awards, Mohamad Bwidani (), explores the feeling of living between permanence and uncertainty.

Drawing on his experience as a Syrian refugee who has lived in more than twenty homes, Mohamad uses the idea of the “suitcase life” to reflect on belonging, waiting, and the impact that immigration systems can have on everyday life.

We’re proud to support his work and share his perspective.

21/09/2026

We are super excited that (Failing to Make) a Documentary About My Sudanese Family, directed by Sid Elbadawi and supported by Counterpoints Productions, will be screening at this year’s BFI London Film Festival! 🎬

A filmmaker sets out to document a trip with his Sudanese family in the shadow of the civil war, but finds the process undoing the film itself.

Catch the film as part of the Altered States shorts programme:

📅 13 & 17 October
📍 BFI London Film Festival

We’re proud to have supported the film’s post-production and can’t wait to see it on the big screen.

Grab your tickets via the BFI website.

16/09/2026

Last chance to see Floating Together

We’re entering the final week of Malak isa’s Floating Together at Southbank Centre.

Inspired by Malak’s memories of childhood by the sea in Gaza, this vibrant public artwork reflects on joy, displacement, courage and belonging. Created in collaboration with young people from Ukraine and Greece through the Creative Visions programme, the work is a powerful celebration of solidarity and community.

If you haven’t seen it yet, this is your final week to experience it on the Riverside Terrace — and make sure to visit after dark to see it illuminated.

Free to visit until 21 September.

Counterpoints Arts Southbank Centre Choose Love Refugee Week 🧡

15/09/2026

The Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival – SMHAF – has launched its programme, running from 19 October to 8 November 2026.

Now in its 20th year, this milestone edition celebrates the passion, commitment and creativity of the artists and communities lighting up grassroots spaces and cultural venues across Scotland through film, theatre, music, visual arts, writing, workshops and more.

The film programme in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee brings together features, shorts and classic films that explore mental health through bold, imaginative and deeply personal cinema.

We’re delighted to be co-hosting a screening with the festival, celebrating two Counterpoints Arts films — Allies in Exile and Rendered in Light — which have both won awards at this year’s festival!

Come and celebrate one of the world’s biggest mental health arts festivals.

Discover the full programme and book tickets at www.mhfestival.com.

Address

Unit 2. 3 Hoxton Works, 128 Hoxton Street
London
N16SH

Telephone

+442081673501

Website

http://www.counterpoints.org.uk/

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