Mathushaa Sagthidas: Not Just Brown, Not Just Indian

Exhibition runs from 22nd February 2024 – 14th April 2024

Open weekdays from 8:00am – 8:00pm, and weekends 8am – 4pm

Opening night: Thursday 22nd February

About the project

Getty Images x Creative Access x iStock funded project celebrating traditions and history of south Asian countries from a female perspective, of British South Asians based in London (like myself). As Eelam Tamil Woman, like most other south Asians just made the assumption I was Indian as if that’s the only country to exist in South Asia and I feel our cultures and traditions are class as one (hence the name). Working with various South Asian women from their respective countries, I wanted show parts of their stories, especially during South Asian Heritage Month to really amplify these stories.

This project was also created out of frustration from the lack of representation of south Asians from an authentic perspective within publications and gallery spaces. Studying creative subjects meant that there was an educational structure that I had to follow, which involved having to including gallery references but many of the only references I could find at this time was of only stolen artefacts that resembled religious deities – despite our culture being more than about religion.

About the photographer

Mathushaa Sagthidas is a first generation British freelance photographer, stylist, set designer and art director (studied at Camberwell College of Arts, UAL) with interest in fine art and contemporary fashion. Mathushaa’s work often examines her identity – Tamil Eelam ethnicity and British nationality, which is reflected through traditions, history and fashion photography.

Identity, authenticity and representation are important to her because of her parents’ upbringing and experiences during the Sri Lankan civil war, which took place from 1983 until now. The history of the war, their own personal suffering and experience led Mathushaa to learn and embrace her ethnic culture, traditions and heritage more and more.

Website: https://www.mathushaasagthidasphotography.co.uk

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