Turbine Bagh
I have a wonderful opportunity to be part of a peaceful artists’ protest in the Tate’s turbine hall and have produced some work to be displayed on samosa packets in the hall.
What concerned me the most was to try and produce a piece that was valid to my own experience, while acknowledging the wider protest. Whilst the horrific events in India are something I’ve tried to stay informed about (not easy in our Western media dominated society - there is very little information out there easily available), I don’t feel politically well enough informed to make a direct comment on the specific situation there.
However, two things really resonated with me. One, the global sense of despair, frustration and helplessness that most people I know feel hanging over them at the moment is the same whether you’re in the UK or in India, whether you’re talking about Trump, Modi, Johnson or the terrifying collusion between them. I feel its permanent presence as a dark ‘othering’ cloud, threatening what is good and kind and compassionate. The force opposing it, that of compassionate strength, unity and community feels like a shining light into the darkness.
The other thing that struck a chord with me is the rising up of women as the motivating force of protest in India as elsewhere, often when the choice to do so is potentially far more dangerous than here. I feel a strong sense of sisterhood around the globe at the moment and therein lies my hope. Strong women - may we raise them, may we know them, may we be them.
So, here are my sketched responses, including some verses from Messrs Harpers (senior and junior) that resonate strongly with me. My own girls take their place in the work as both my greatest fear and my greatest strength. In Mandalas (a large part of the protest form), an upright triangle represents strength and energy, a downward one, creativity and spiritual growth. I felt a little uncomfortable using a full mandala in the work (cultural appropriation??) but the essence of the triangle appealed. And together, they make the Extinction Rebellion symbol…
Many thanks to Sofia Karim for the opportunity to be involved and for the enormous amounts of work she is investing.
These packets will be displayed at Turbine Bagh, peaceful artists' demonstration in solidarity with Shaheen Bagh and mass protests in India - Tate Modern, Turbine Hall. Saturday 28 March.
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