Di(e)vest

1560s, devest (modern spelling is c. 1600), "strip of possessions," from French devester "strip of possessions" (Old French desvestir), from des- "away" + vestir "to clothe," from Latin vestire "to clothe", from PIE *wes-.

This piece reflects the insecurity experienced by refugees, both at sea and upon arrival in the UK. Inspired by the hostility faced by black and brown people on the water and in British streets, I combined a secondhand police stab-proof vest and a discarded lifejacket from Lesvos, Greece.

Originally, I intended to create a functional stabproof lifejacket, but research revealed the unreliable quality of many refugee lifejackets, which often absorbed water instead of providing safety. Thanks to Lesvos Solidarity, a charity supporting refugees and up-cycling discarded materials, I obtained a lifejacket to merge with the stab-proof vest.

The work highlights the dual vulnerability of refugees, who lack adequate protection both at sea and on land, underscoring the ongoing hostility they face in both spaces.

I wore the stab-proof vest at the counter protest riots in late 2024.