Description:

Canopy, 2021

Canopy is comprised of different string lengths of red beads hung in different areas from a Dupatta fabric (shawl worn over head traditionally by south Asian women) hung like a canopy from the ceiling. This piece explores my connection to my South Asian heritage and the history of colonialism that still affects generations of south Asians in Britain today. Canopy is an abstract portrayal of the brutality that occurred in India (now India and Pakistan) during the British empire, the red beads falling symbolise the riches that were stolen from India, most famously the Kohinoor diamond which we are told, was a ‘gift from India to Britain’ (Boissoneault, 2017), however, the diamond along with almost $45 trillion was looted from India between 1765 to 1938 (Pandy, 2021). Moreover, the heavy inclusion of the colour red signifies the bloodshed and violence preceding and during the partition, in particular the violence against women – seen in the inclusion of the dupatta.

Boissoneault, L., 2017. The True Story of the Koh-i-Noor Diamond—and Why the British Won’t Give It Back. [online] Smithsonian Magazine. Available at: <https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/true-story-koh-i-noor-diamondand-why-british-wont-give-it-back-180964660/&gt; [Accessed 15 January 2022].

Pandy, P., 2021. How Britain Looted $45 Trillion From India. [online] Medium. Available at: <https://historyofyesterday.com/how-britain-looted-45-trillion-from-india-2e923dfb2efb&gt; [Accessed 15 January 2022].

Size:

250 x 300 cm (approx)

Medium(s):

fabric, fishing wire, beads

Price:

NFS