Saving Butterflies: art project cleverly combines issues of asylum and conservation

Art has the power to move us. But how often does it inspire, unite and educate? The #SavingButterflies project is a rare gem that achieves all this... and more. Cleverly, it manages to address not just one but two of the most pressing challenges of our times—the plight of refugees and the decline of biodiversity—while simultaneously democratising the artistic process to involve local communities in its creation.

Launched this April and spearheaded by London-based, Azerbaijan-born artist Aylal Heydarova, this innovative project has captured imaginations and hearts by blending public art, environmental activism and social awareness.

Transforming lives through art

At the heart of #SavingButterflies lies the idea of transformation. With their delicate beauty and powerful symbolism of renewal, butterflies serve as the perfect metaphor for resilience and migration.

Led by the charity WE RESTART, which promotes art as a tool of personal or collective recovery, the initiative began in Chelsea, with children from the World's End and Lots Road (WELR) community creating a striking wooden butterfly sculpture.

Designed to showcase how climate change affects butterfly migration, the sculpture was displayed for three months in the Piazza before "taking flight" to Wembley's Union Park in the London Borough of Brent.

Next year, asylum-seeking children in Brent will design and build a new butterfly sculpture, one that reflects the cultural diversity of the area. This evolving process of creating, moving, and recreating not only spreads awareness but also builds a growing legacy of unity, creativity, and hope across the UK capital.

Nature in crisis

Butterflies are more than just vibrant additions to the landscape; they're essential pollinators, indicators of ecosystem health, and key players in maintaining biodiversity. Yet more than three-quarters of UK butterfly species are in decline due to habitat loss, climate change, and pollution.

The #SavingButterflies project tackles this urgent issue through education and engagement. This effort includes interactive workshops, led by the architectural collective CAUKIN Studio, which teach children aged 8-15 about butterfly conservation and the wider implications of climate change.

In short, by combining hands-on art with ecological learning, the project empowers young participants to act as environmental stewards. At the same time, the struggles faced by butterflies find a poignant parallel in the experiences of refugees: both need safe spaces to survive and thrive.

By intertwining these twin narratives, #SavingButterflies fosters empathy and understanding while promoting meaningful dialogue about human and ecological resilience in a clever yet easy-to-grasp way for children and adults alike.

Building bridges

"Art is a universal language," says Aylal, whose Azerbaijani heritage and sensitivity to cultural and natural themes shape her work. "It allows us to connect across boundaries. With #SavingButterflies, we're building bridges not just between people but also between humans and nature."

Looking forward, the vision for #SavingButterflies will continue to expand beyond Chelsea and Wembley. Plans are in place to take the project across London, with new sculptures created in collaboration with local children in different boroughs. This evolving trail of art will serve as a lasting reminder of the interconnectedness of humanity and nature, inspiring Londoners to embrace conservation and community.

The vibrant social media campaign accompanying the project also plays a pivotal role. Featuring stunning imagery, educational posts, and interactive challenges, it engages a broader audience and sparks conversations about climate change and migration.

How you can help

The success of #SavingButterflies relies on community support. There are several ways to contribute:

• Donate: Every donation to WE RESTART helps fund workshops, materials and outreach efforts.

• Volunteer: Workshops and events are powered by dedicated volunteers. Join them from 7 to 12 April 2025 at Wembley Park.

• Spread the word: Use social media to share the project's message. Visit the sculptures, snap photos and use hashtags like #SavingButterflies and #WeRestart to amplify its reach.

Global issue, local actions

The #SavingButterflies initiative exemplifies how local actions can address global challenges. It demonstrates that small, creative interventions like crafting a butterfly sculpture can spark real-world change by educating, uniting and inspiring communities.

As Aylal's striking blue butterfly sculpture soars to its new home in Union Park, it carries with it a message of resilience and transformation. In April 2025, the Wembley workshops will breathe life into a new sculpture, continuing this remarkable journey. Together, these creations represent not just the struggles of butterflies and migrants but also the beauty and strength found in collective efforts to overcome them.

Join the #SavingButterflies movement and become part of a transformative project where art, education and compassion intertwine to create a brighter future for both people and the planet.