--- title: "From Devon To Kakuma: The Small Painting That Inspired A Refugee Art Movement" description: Art bridges continents at Kakuma Refugee Camp, fostering healing, resilience and identity as displaced artists reclaim agency and inspire global connection author: Dr Marina Nani (Editor-in-Chief) date: 2025-09-10T13:55:52.000Z updated: 2026-02-26T22:05:33.927Z canonical: https://richwoman.co/article/from-devon-to-kakuma-the-small-painting-that-inspired-a-refugee-art-movement image: https://cdn.nanimediahouse.com/s6u7gq93uu8.jpg categories: Culture & Society content_type: Feature region: England publication: Rich Woman Magazine --- In her quiet garden studio in Devon, artist Tara Dominick painted something that would change lives thousands of miles away. The image she created – a simple, contemplative work titled ‘BOAT’ – carried an emotional weight that reached far beyond her peaceful workspace. When she shared it online, the painting found its way to one of the world’s largest refugee settlements, where it would spark an unexpected connection. Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya is home to over 180,000 displaced people, many of whom have fled violence and persecution across East Africa. Among them was Hubert Senga, a Congolese refugee who had founded the NGO Generation Aid within the camp. When Hubert saw Tara’s painting online, something profound stirred within him. The image reminded him of his own harrowing escape across Lake Tanganyika after losing his family to conflict at the age of 17. ## When Art Becomes A Bridge That single painting became the catalyst for an extraordinary collaboration. Hubert reached out to Tara, sharing his story and the deep personal connection he felt to her work. What began as a conversation between two strangers became the foundation of the Kakuma Art Project. The project reflects a growing recognition of [art’s therapeutic power in refugee communities](https://www.unhcr.org/innovation/7-art-initiatives-that-are-transforming-the-lives-of-refugees/). Research has shown that creative expression provides displaced persons with vital opportunities to process trauma, maintain cultural identity and build resilience. Yet formal art programmes remain rare in refugee settlements, despite their demonstrated benefits. Tara and Hubert’s partnership began simply – with art materials being sent to the camp. As refugees began engaging with the supplies, something remarkable happened. People who had never had a safe space to tell their stories found their voices through paint and canvas. ## Finding Voice Through Canvas The creative workshops that emerged offered more than just artistic instruction. They provided what many refugees had been denied for years – a platform for expression without judgement. Participants created work that was, in Tara’s words, ‘raw, powerful, and deeply moving’. The camp’s diverse population, representing multiple nationalities and ethnic groups, found common ground in creativity. This mirrors findings from other [art therapy initiatives in refugee settings](https://www.europenowjournal.org/2023/11/20/art-as-passport-for-learning-and-healing-in-refugee-camps/), where artistic activity has proven crucial in helping displaced persons confront difficult memories and foster social cohesion. The quality and emotional depth of the artwork produced in Kakuma surprised even its creators. These weren’t simple crafts or recreational activities – they were profound expressions of human experience, loss, hope and resilience. Much like [other community art spaces](https://richwoman.co/article/up-close-art-identity-and-body-positivity-at-tag-s-nothing-to-see-here-nudes-the-human-form) that help people explore identity and belonging, the workshops became a place where refugees could share their stories on their own terms. ## Building The First Gallery Recognising the significance of what was being created, Tara launched a fundraising effort in the UK. The goal was ambitious: to build the first art gallery ever constructed in Kakuma Camp. The Senga Gallery, named in honour of Hubert’s work, would provide a permanent space for refugee artists to display their work and share their stories. The gallery represents more than just a building – it’s a statement of validation and pride. For refugees whose contributions are often overlooked, having their artwork displayed in a formal gallery setting affirms their value as artists and storytellers. The construction involved refugee carpenters from within the camp, creating employment opportunities while building community ownership of the space. Creative spaces like this join a growing network that challenge perceptions of refugee camps as places of mere survival, instead showcasing them as communities where culture and creativity flourish. Similar to how [artists are using their work to support communities in need](https://richwoman.co/article/beyond-art-how-a-brush-brings-hope-to-a-classrooms-in-need), the Senga Gallery demonstrates art’s power to create meaningful change. ## Going Global With ARTLINE The success of the physical gallery inspired an ambitious digital expansion. ARTLINE, a campaign of ten themed online galleries, invites international artists to contribute work that directly funds humanitarian aid in Kakuma. Each submission costs £27 – an amount that provides either a food pack for a refugee family or supports therapeutic workshops, shade trees and safe spaces for orphans. This model brilliantly connects global creativity with local impact. Artists worldwide can participate in exhibitions knowing their contribution has immediate, tangible benefits for displaced people. The approach reflects new thinking about how [art can address displacement](https://www.artrefuge.org.uk) while creating meaningful engagement opportunities for supporters. The digital format also ensures the refugee artists’ work reaches international audiences, challenging stereotypes and humanising the refugee experience through powerful visual storytelling. The diversity of voices and experiences being shared mirrors the broader movement towards [amplifying underrepresented voices in art](https://richwoman.co/article/art-institutions-worldwide-spotlight-women-artists-as-demand-for-diverse-voices-surges). ## The Power Of One Painting The story comes full circle this September when ‘The Power of One Painting’ exhibition opens at [The Vanner Gallery](https://www.vannergallery.com/) in Salisbury from 7-9 September. The show will feature the original ‘BOAT’ painting alongside works created by refugee artists in Kakuma, plus three portraits by acclaimed artist Alastair Barford depicting artists within the camp. This exhibition represents more than an art show – it’s a celebration of human connection across continents. Visitors will see how a single piece of art became the seed of a movement that has provided healing, hope and dignity to hundreds of displaced people. The Kakuma Art Project demonstrates how creative expression can flourish even in the most challenging circumstances. For refugees who have lost so much, art offers a way to reclaim agency and connect with others who understand their experiences. What started with one painting in a Devon garden has grown into something that proves art knows no boundaries – and neither does hope. The ripple effects continue to spread. Each workshop, each piece of art created, each visitor to the gallery becomes part of a larger story about human resilience and the unexpected ways we find connection.