Rochdale represented at National Art Launch at Tate Liverpool

Muslim girls from Rochdale at The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s launch of Young Brits at Art 2010 at Tate Liverpool.

A group of Muslim girls from Rochdale represented the town at The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s launch of Young Brits at Art 2010, recently held at Tate Liverpool.

The girls, from different areas across the town centre, meet on Sundays at the Deeplish Community Centre, where they have engaged this year in 2 and 3-d art and craft assignments.

Their art projects have included textile designs, glassware-simulated ornaments, celebration displays and some unique, personal jewellery making.

The girl’s group coordinator, Samina Hussain, said: “The girls are a picture of ‘diversity in action’ by themselves - helping to remove bias and preconceptions.

"Many of them spent their last half-term school holiday week undertaking the Level 2 Sports Leaders Award course. 

"While their group sessions are geared to building contemporary life skills and new learning, they are exploring various aspects of British heritage, sports, safe and healthy lifestyles, along with different teams and new borough partners.”

Sharifa Bibi, a committee member, said: “The girls were thrilled to be part of the young artists there. They enjoyed the presentations, discussion and debates, alongside talking with Baroness Margaret Prosser OBE, Deputy-Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

"Their self-confidence, achievements and aspirations are growing all the time. We wish to thank the Rochdale Council Youth Services for arranging transport and helping to support our group for the Launch evening.”

The national art award invites 11-19 year olds to explore their beliefs, opinions and judgments by asking, 'What would the world look like if we lived without prejudice?' How entrants choose to define prejudice is up to them. The Equality and Human Rights Commission is asking young Britons to express their vision of a world free from prejudice.