‘Taking Up Space: Women and Protest in the Indian Diaspora’ at OPEN Southall Arts Centre will explore the written and oral history of protests directly in the words of the inspiring women this weekend.
Curated by Megan Drabble, the special three-day showcase will focus on four key periods in the history of women’s dissent.
Drabble said: “I wanted to dedicate a space for guests to explore a history of protest unique to the Indian diaspora.
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“This isn’t taught in schools, colleges, or most degree courses. South Asian women’s contributions remain largely untold. So, I feel it is important that this exhibition exists as an educational and explorative space for all ages to engage with this history.”
She has curated the exhibition as a space for visitors to think about experiences and ideas as they explore key moments of history and build a collective memory of women’s protest in the Indian diaspora. Each section of the exhibit at Southall, west London, will be designed to immerse visitors into the stories and draw parallels of methods and music that lay at the heart of the dissent.
Raul Lai, Coordinator of Platform for Indian Democracy behind the exhibition, said: “Protest is integral to India’s history. From standing up to colonial oppression to establishing an independent India, built on the values of justice, liberty, equality and democracy.
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“This legacy of protest and dissent followed our families as they left India, with the British Indian community fighting for these same values in the UK. Throughout our history, Indian and British Indian women have been at the forefront of pushing forward progressive change in many different ways. We at Platform for Indian Democracy wanted to celebrate this inspiring legacy and make us think about how we can ‘take up space’ in our own communities like those who came before us did.”
