Pop-up events celebrate South Asian heritage

9 hours ago

Shehnaz KhanWest Midlands

Stories That Made Us – Roots, Resilience, Representation, runs until 25 May

Ayesha Jones People walk through an art gallery. Stories That Made Us – Roots, Resilience, Representation, is written on the wall. — Stories That Made Us – Roots, Resilience, Representation, runs until 25 May

A new pop-up event series at a gallery is encouraging residents to contribute to an exhibition celebrating the heritage of local South Asian communities.

Stories That Made Us - Roots, Resilience, Representation is taking place at Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry until 25 May.

More than 300 handwritten memories of migration, racism and belonging had been added to the exhibition since it opened in November, organisers said.

The pop-up events, Our Stories and Heritage, will take place at the gallery from Monday to Thursday next week, offering visitors a chance to share memories, photographs, artwork and oral histories.

Hundreds of messages have been added to the project by visitors

Ayesha Jones Dozens of messages on a wall showcasing a timeline. — Hundreds of messages have been added to the project by visitors

The programme begins on Monday with a poetry workshop, followed by a spoken-word performance and a community open mic event.

Visitors will be able to record their own oral histories with Coventry Archives on Tuesday, with other activities and a workshop set to take place over the remainder of the week.

The project was created by Coventry artist and curator Hardish Virk and tells the story of his family from 1968 to 2010, using immersive rooms, oral histories, film, music and a 410-year timeline of South Asian and British history.

"The heart of the exhibition is my family's story, but what we're seeing is that people are finding their own story in it," Virk said.

"These pop-up events are designed to give more people the chance to add their perspective and build on the incredible testimonies we've heard over the last few months."

The immersive exhibition tells the story of the Virk family from 1968 to 2010

Ayesha Jones A group of people walk through an art gallery. One woman stands with her arms crossed looking at a wall. Two others are sat on a large sofa behind her. — The immersive exhibition tells the story of the Virk family from 1968 to 2010

Virk said the response to exhibition highlighted the importance of recognising the contribution and presence of South Asian communities in the city, and reflected its identity as a city shaped by migration.

He said feedback he had received referenced the experiences his parents' generation faced when they arrived, including racism on the streets and divisive language.

"But it's also shown a real sense that we're stronger together, and it's been really powerful to see people connect with that idea and find their own place in the story," he added.

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