Pussy Riot backs Hackney artists’ charity to support Calais camp refugees

Hackney-based art duo the Connor Brothers set up a charity to link refugees arriving in London with people willing to give up spare rooms
Alliance: Nadya Tolokonnikova and Connor Brothers Mike Snelle and James Golding
Nigel Howard
13 November 2015

Two London artists are teaming up with Pussy Riot to create a charity to help refugees arriving in the capital.

Hackney-based art duo the Connor Brothers were so moved after visiting “The Jungle” camp in Calais that they have applied to set up a charity.

It is backed by Nadya Tolokonnikova of Pussy Riot, who flew to London from Moscow to attend a fundraising exhibition in Stoke Newington last night.

Mike Snelle, one half of the Connor Brothers, said the as-yet unnamed charity will link refugees arriving in London with people willing to give up a spare room. It will also help refugees in the UK with living costs and provide aid to those in camps across Europe.

Tolokonnikova, 26, will act as an ambassador. She previously collaborated with the Connor Brothers ­— Snelle and James Golding — on a performance at Banksy’s Dismaland installation in Weston-super-Mare, where Pussy Riot sang their new song Refugees In.

She said: “We have a moral duty to join together and show our governments that we are willing to do whatever is necessary.”

The Connor Brothers have created a limited-edition print which they are selling to raise funds. It features a quote by Gandhi saying: “Whatever you do will be insignificant but it is very important that you do it.” The print was unveiled last night at the Hang-Up Gallery in Stoke Newington. The Connor Brothers, who visited The Jungle in August and October, plan to return next month with Pussy Riot to build shelters with the money raised from the artwork.

Snelle said: “The situation facing those in Calais is dire and much more help is needed as the camp grows in size daily ... we have applied to the Charity Commission to form an NGO which will provide aid to refugees in Europe, as well as aid and advice to those who have made it to the UK.”

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