BorderLands

Presented in partnership with Hay Castle, BorderLands brings together a diverse range of artistic voices that confront the personal, political, and cultural dimensions of borders and boundaries. About At a time of increasing polarisation and renewed political tensions, when issues around identity, belonging and territory are being exacerbated and amplified, borders can become the focal point of multiple strains and stresses. The rise of new nationalisms along with that of populism all too often leads to exclusion and a tendency towards isolation. At the same time, actual geographic transformations and displacement of communities, often induced by climate change, are redefining local and global borders. The online, always ‘on’ world of digital communications, which should have brought the world closer together has instead raised new levels of division. While borders have always helped to delineate cultural, linguistic and historical identities, we are witnessing how they can become useful irritants for the power-hungry, compromising yearnings for a gentler world. Meadow Arts’ 3 year programme, BorderLands , attempts to uncover a more layered understanding of borders by following the lead of artists who examine the idea of borders with concern and care. Almost all the works in this exhibition reveal a longing for unity beyond borders and boundaries, inviting us to a redrawing and perhaps a knitting back together of new communal entities. This attitude could be deemed idealistic and utopian, but the artists represented in the exhibition don’t necessarily advocate for the abolition of borders. Instead, they express a desire to reconsider the scale of human values and suggest new perspectives. Artist included: Larry Achiampong , Henna Asikainen , Iwan Bala , Maya Rose Edwards , Peter Finnemore , Leo Fitzmaurice , Ghazel , Shilpa Gupta , Mark Houghton , Gabriella Hirst, Verity Howard , Charlie Hurcombe , Hilary Jack , Delaine Le Bas , André Lichtenberg , Daniel MacCarthy , Helene Muheim , Lucy+Jorge Orta , Sally Payen , Corinne Silva and Donovan Wylie . The BorderLands exhibition at Hay Castle (14 May – 31 August 2026) is presented in partnership with Hay Castle and made possible thanks to a grant from the Colwinston Charitable Trust 30th Anniversary Fund. Read more Toggle Drawing Installation Film / Video Sculpture Painting Photography Multi-disciplinary Mixed media