Deathjacket

Before the stabbings in Southport and elsewhere in the UK over the last few weeks, and also before the recent UK riots I had the idea to make a stab-proof lifejacket.

I wanted to discuss about the insecurity felt from a refugees perspective at sea and then as they arrive on shore in England. The hostility faced at sea for black and brown people mirrors the hostility faced on our streets.

Originally, I wanted this to be a working stab-proof lifejacket. I bought a second hand police stab-proof vest from eBay, albeit ironically and then researched a lot about potentially using an old life jacket from the shores of Lesbos where there used to be a lifejacket graveyard. However, after contacting various people involved with the clean up and several charities, it was not possible, as also ironically you’re not allowed to take them unless an official of some sort.

I read about a refugee on Lesbos who now makes garments for a charity from used lifejackets. He said how it wasn’t even guaranteed that the lifejackets worked. A lot were bad quality and the foam soaked up the water. With this in mind, I made my own foam lifejacket float back support. To go in line with what he said, whether it floats or not remains to be unknown. Just like the experience refugees have crossing the sea.