Exhibition: The Auschwitz Project

Exhibition: The Auschwitz Project

18th July – 2nd September

Open Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm.

New work by art maker Di Lofthouse, MBE, inspired by a visit to Auschwitz.

This exhibition is part of the FEVA Festival.

Di talks about her visit to Poland and inspiration for the exhibition:

“Hi my name is Di Lofthouse M.B.E I am an artist and a disabled rights activist. I have always spoken out since my teens for my disabled friends who have not been treated fairly.

I’ve always been interested in history and have wanted to go to Poland to see Auschwitz since I was nineteen. Last year I went to Poland, supported by Julianne Lunn (someone who supports me). It was physically difficult for me to visit Auschwitz because it was not wheelchair friendly. I couldn’t see everything, as there were a lot of stairs. But from what I did see, I felt very moved.

There was no birdsong, just a deadly silence. Just the sound of visitor’s voices in many languages. I was really moved by the gas chambers and the rooms with the objects. Body aids for the disabled, glasses, lampshades and wallets made of human skin. The number of people who had to sleep in a room and thousands of toilets all lined up. I felt that people had been treated like second-class citizens.

My belief is that everybody should be treated with dignity and respect. Whatever skin they live in.”