Lesbos, Greece, 2019

In the past few years, we have created works addressing immigration and the refugee crisis. When we decided to visit a refugee camp in Greece, we felt we wanted to do more than just create another installation. We came up with the idea of giving flower plants and creating a vegetable garden—something that could provide both practical use and a little joy. Seeing the smiles on people’s faces, even for a brief moment, was truly wonderful.

We know that this project didn’t change their situation. Since the EU closed its borders, many people have been stuck in the camps for up to three years, uncertain how long they will have to wait, living under inhumane conditions. In Moria Camp, asylum seekers struggle to access safe and adequate accommodation, basic hygiene, food, essential items, and healthcare. Families with young children live in flimsy tents or cramped containers, with too few toilets and showers, many of which are poorly maintained—putting them at risk of serious health problems.

Most of the people there come from war-torn countries such as Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. They came to Europe seeking safety—far from the sounds of bombings, hoping for a better future for their children. They have endured exhausting journeys and unimaginable hardships. They deserve better. They deserve our support.