Rosy Greenlees praises the humanity and care of Esna Su's work, 'The Refugee'

At a time when innumerable Ukrainians have been displaced from their homeland, Esna Su’s 2015 artwork The Refugee I feels particularly poignant. It’s part of a collection of pieces made by the London-based artist in response to another humanitarian crisis: the fleeing of millions of Syrian people to vast refugee camps, due to the war raging in their country. Created by weaving and twining together paper rush, fabrics and bamboo, the sculpture can be worn like a blanket around the shoulders. It cocoons the wearer, providing comfort, warmth and protection.

Su’s artwork expresses humanity and care to those escaping conflict. The Turkish maker – who grew up in Antioch, just 12 miles from the border with Syria – used a technique called hasir employed in Syrian carpet-making and involving layer upon layer of weaving. The process had disappeared in war-ravaged northern Syria, so the work became a way to give it new life, while offering a sense of belonging to those who are removed from their homes and cultural traditions. Su’s piece is a metaphorical gift; an act of generosity to those who have lost everything.

As my final contribution to this magazine before I leave the Crafts Council, the team asked me to look into our collection and choose a piece that sums up the power of making. At a challenging time for so many, this artwork is it. By taking a lost process and reviving it, Su speaks to the life-enhancing nature of craft. She shows how intrinsic it is to people’s identities and how it can connect people, even when they are far from their homes.