London will soon host the launch of Art Voyage, a new UK-based cultural platform dedicated to amplifying migrant voices and fostering global cultural exchange. Its inaugural programme, Echoes of Migration, unfolds this October with a combination of community-led public art in South London and a major summit at the Royal Society of Arts (RSA House) on 10 October 2025.
A Summit for Dialogue and Change
The Echoes of Migration Summit will convene more than 20 prominent voices from across the arts, philanthropy, and education to explore the intersections of migration, identity, and creativity. Participants include Bengi Ünsal (Director, ICA), Rose Issa (Rose Issa Projects), Tamsin Ace (East Bank), Anders Petterson (ArtTactic), and Roxane Zand (ZandFineArts Consultancy), alongside artists such as Paulo Arraiano, Ryan Hawaii, and Alice Burnhope.
The programme will address key themes including The Role of Cultural Memory & Heritage and The Role of Institutions in Supporting Migrant Artists. Designed as an interactive and inclusive experience, the summit will feature panels, Q&A sessions, and collective reflections. All content will be documented and made available as podcasts, ensuring ongoing access and sector-wide impact.
Public Art in Lewisham
Ahead of the summit, Echoes of Migration will activate public spaces in Lewisham, South London, an area often overlooked in cultural investment. On 4 October 2025, Manor House Gardens will become the setting for three new site-specific works:
- Vladimir Lalić will unveil a dragonfly-inspired sculpture symbolising transformation and resilience.
- Ryan Hawaii will reimagine a park bench, integrating local heritage references and flags representing Lewisham’s diverse communities.
- Alice Burnhope will lead a community workshop in sustainable textile art, inviting residents to co-create work reflecting themes of identity and belonging.
The textile installation will be displayed at the RSA during the summit before travelling with future Art Voyage projects. A digital Story Archive and interactive Public Art Map will extend the programme’s reach, ensuring its impact continues beyond the initial events.
Towards a Nomadic Biennial
Echoes of Migration also marks the beginning of the Art Voyage Biennial, an itinerant model that will relocate to a new global city every two years. The inaugural edition will take place in London in 2027, with subsequent biennials already confirmed in Dubai, Dammam, Berlin, and Hong Kong.
Founded by Tima Jam, an Iranian-born British curator and producer, Art Voyage builds on 20 years of experience through Blue Rhino Art Consultancy. The platform is rooted in values of equity, care, cultural exchange, and inclusive authorship, with a mission to create lasting cultural and social change.
Supporting the Mission
To celebrate its launch, Art Voyage is offering free Friend memberships until 31 August 2025, with 50% discounts available through September. Supporters can also contribute via the Echoes of Migration Crowdfunder, helping to fund artist materials, workshops, and accessibility initiatives.
More information:
👉 www.artvoyagebiennial.org.uk/join
👉 Crowdfunder campaign
As Echoes of Migration takes shape in London and prepares to journey across the world, it sets the stage for a new kind of biennial — one that not only exhibits art but also builds connections, honours migrant narratives, and redefines belonging on a global scale.
