There is a very interesting even though tiny exhibition going on at the National Portrait Gallery. It is entitled “On Belonging: Photographs of Indians of African Descent” and brings together some of the beautiful black and white pictures captured by Ketaki Sheth (born in 1957, Mumbai) during her project among the Sidi.
The Sidi, also known as Siddhi, are a community of no more that 70 000 people, living in different areas of India and Pakistan. What makes them interesting is that they descend from Bantu people (Southeast Africa) who in the past centuries were active on the trading routes of the Indian Ocean. While it is true some were merchants and mercenaries, many of them were introduced in the Indian subcontinent as slaves by the Portuguese. Sidi communities still retain African features, still nowadays they are “Indians”. Even if they may be still considered a minority, they have been dwelling Indian regions for more than five hundreds years now. Their experience fits perfectly the discourse on the African Diaspora, on identity and cultural membership.
The exhibition deals exactly with these themes. Through the pictures the visitor can experience a story, the story of a cultural group that, although considering Africa as an ancestral womb, has opened itself to a new, mixed identity, accepting in all respect the “Indian” way of life. In particular, many pictures from the display were taken in occasion of a wedding. These portraits are stunning not only for the beauty of the composition itself, but also because it is very easy to pay attention the tale they tell you without words nor colours. I find the black and white choice effectively renders the question of identity on which the artist wanted to focus.
Most of all, as I just mentioned, the photographs on display are portraits. The issue of cultural identity is then linked to the one of personal identity, individuality. It is impossible not to ask oneself how much culture shapes the individual. The case of Sidi people let us think of ourselves, let me think of the chimera of individualism of which the Western tradition is so proud of.
A nice show, for free, just one room. You can see it in 10 minutes, or stay the entire afternoon, going from one picture to another, from one face to another. You can also browse the catalogue sitting on the bench provided, and discover many more beautiful shots taken by Sheth alongside with her explanation of them. But just until August 31st.
Many thanks to Esmeralda for giving me the first piece of info regarding this artist and her exhibition.)
Useful links:
National Portrait Gallery Exhibition Page: http://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/display/2015/on-belonging-photographs-of-indians-of-african-descent.php
More info on the Sidi communities: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siddi
Diotima in the Gallery 