The first UK exhibition to explore the refugee crisis through illustration features 40 multi-media works by 12 contemporary artists, two of whom are themselves refugees.

Illustrators have the unique opportunity to act as visual journalists, spending extended periods of time in situations where photography is banned or too intrusive.

Iranian artist Majid Adin’s award-winning animation for Elton John’s Rocket Man draws on his own journey to the UK; imprisoned for his political works in Iran, Adin was smuggled to London inside a refrigerator before winning a competition to reimagine the iconic ballad. Palestinian-Syrian Mahmoud Salameh’s bold cartoons – inspired by 17 months in an Australian detention centre – and British Libyan Asia Alfasi’s manga explore issues faced by refugees.

The exhibition will also include war zone reportage by George Butler from Syria, Olivier Kugler’s digital portraits of refugees arriving on the Greek Island of Kos and Kate Evans’ graphic novel that recounts her experience of volunteering in the Calais Jungle.

Illustrators: Ghaith Abdul-Ahad | Majid Adin | Asia Alfasi | George Butler | Nick Ellwood | Kate Evans | David Foldvari | Karrie Fransman | Olivier Kugler | Toby Morison | Mahmoud Salameh | Gideon Summerfield

(Image: Boat – David Foldari and Save the Children)