THE JOURNEY OF A MILLION MILES BEGINS WITH ONE STEP // HEADLAND SCULPTURE ON THE GULF // WAIHEKE ISLAND // 2017
This partnership project between Singh and the Auckland Resettled Community Coalition (ARCC) aims to strengthen newcomers and resettled community voices for better resettlement outcomes. Aiming to redefine the understanding of what it means to be a part of the resettled community, by providing a platform for stories to be heard in a celebration of tolerance and diversity to restore a solidarity to the heart of human culture. The artwork aims to humanise the politicisation of immigration within New Zealand. Drawing on real world experiences to personalise and unpack the conversations around resettlement. The Social Practice component of the artwork highlights the partnership’s belief that sharing an important issue, whether it be a social, historical or political, can bring about huge change through the persuasiveness of a shared voice.
The project takes abandoned boats from Waiheke Island and utilises them as sound shells for the Beyond Refuge: stories of resettlement in Auckland to be heard. These stories have been brought to life by the voices and generosity of Jennifer Ward Lealand, Lynn Freeman, Steven Hue, Frankie Stevens, Jesse Mulligan, Jaqui Clarke, Victor Rodger and John Hawkesby.
Auckland Resettled Community Coalition (ARCC) is a grassroots, non-profit organisation acting as a local and regional umbrella organisation founded and led by resettled leaders/representatives from refugee backgrounds. We are a collective voice of newcomers and resettled communities from ethnically diverse backgrounds in the Auckland region. We strive to bridge the gap between our communities and service providers to achieve greater understanding, smooth resettlement, and positive integration. ARCC is the advocates and voice on behalf of the resettled communities from refugee background of Auckland by promoting a sustainable and integration resettlement approach that maintains the cultural identities of resettled communities and allows them to thrive in their new home country. With 18 current member communities group from 15 different countries, we have the expertise, experience and cultural tools to support and advocate for services and policy that deliver positive resettlement outcomes.
