Sinti and Roma, just like artists* themselves, often find themselves on
the margins of society. The the places for non-settled, travelling
Manouche in France are mostly on the outskirts of the cities in often
inhospitable places. Between breaking asphalt and gravel Marina
Rosselle observes wild herbs that have found a niche for themselves
and often assert themselves against the harsh reality with graceful
blossoms. The artist takes her inspiration from these plants to create
delicate drawings, graphics and installations, thus creating a personal
picture of the reality of her community.
The British artist Dan Turner also works with the theme of wild herbs,
but in a completely different way: he draws on the traditional
knowledge of British Travellers about herbs and thus also plays with
the topic of the witchcraft, which - stereotypically - is often connoted
with the minority but infact is a deep understanding of natural
environment. Turner, who studied sculpture and whose work was part
of the 3rd Pavilion of the Sinti and Roma FutuRoma at the 58th Venice
Biennale, curated by Dr. Daniel Baker comissioned by ERIAC, sows
the herbs in performative actions. The plants that then grow stretch the
concept of sculpture The miracle of growth is revealed and we know
that even small roots can break large stones. Thus the works of the two
artists* presented here are a powerful sign of the power of art and the
resistant emancipation movement of the Sinti and Roma. As Dan
Turner says "Let it grow!"