Photographer: Ayesha Jones
An evening of talks and discussion exploring themes within the exhibition ‘Stories That Made Us - Roots, Resilience, Representation’.
Join researchers from University of Warwick and exhibition curator and artist, Hardish Virk, for a series of talks exploring migration, South Asian heritage and storytelling. Curator, archivist and artist Hardish Virk will speak about the backstory and ambitions of the 'Stories That Made Us - Roots, Resilience, Representation' exhibition as well as discuss the importance of personal archives and social stories. You’ll then have the chance to hear from University of Warwick researchers whose work links to themes within the exhibition!
For one of our talks, we invite you to bring along an old photograph (or have one in mind!), as we’ll be considering how they are becoming historical evidence in their own right.
Talk Details:
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Curator, archivist and artist Hardish Virk will speak about the backstory and ambitions of the 'Stories That Made Us - Roots, Resilience, Representation' exhibition as well as discuss the importance of personal archives and social stories.
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In a forthcoming book chapter, Pippa explores a collection of images gathered during the Coming to Coventry project (2005–06), which documented the lived experiences of South Asian communities settling in the city. Rather than treating these photographs as simple illustrations, Pippa read them as historical evidence in their own right, uncovering stories long overlooked. Returning to the collection with fresh eyes and new methods, Pippa sought to uncover what earlier approaches had missed, while exploring the case for visual archives in recovering diasporic histories.
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In the run-down terraces of the grimy streets of early 1960s industrial Coventry, Punjabi male migrants huddled around portable gas heaters for physical warmth and wiled away their precious free time, sharing stories, poetry and song. After-work gatherings at the local pubs, with beer and whiskey loosening the tongue, were also venues for recitation and creation of poetry and song. These informal gatherings set the scene for a literary scene which continues until today reflecting the trials, tribulations and joys of migrants lives. In its most formal, novels, collections of poems and short stories circulate amongst a committed reading community. Informally, poetry recited on radio or published on social media continues to articulate everyday concerns of the Punjabi community.
Please note, themes of racism, sexism and homophobia will be touched upon in this talk.
After the talks, there will be an opportunity to explore the exhibition after hours.
Please note: To tell the stories with truth, the exhibition has not censored the language or narrative, which at times includes descriptions of racism, domestic violence and abuse. We have clearly stated where these descriptions are present. Talks may also touch on these themes, as well as sexism and homophobia.
Doors will open at 6pm. The event will start at 6.30pm.
Light refreshments and drinks will be available. Please note, final dietary requirements have now been sent to the caterer (as of 22/04). We will have a selection of vegetarian and vegan food available. We will do our best to accommodate dietary requirements provided after this date, but this may not be possible in all instances.
The recommended age for this event is 14+, and all under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult.
Tickets for this event are FREE, but are required for entry.
The Herbert entrance for the night will be the Covered Court entrance (facing University Square and the Cathedral.)
About the exhibition
Stories That Made Us – Roots, Resilience, Representation traces the experiences of a South Asian family in Coventry from 1968 to 2010, drawing on Coventry Archives’ Virk Collection and curator & artist Hardish Virk’s personal archive. Through sound, film, photographs, books, magazines, posters, vinyl records, cassettes and immersive design, the exhibition explores migration, activism and cultural identity across generations.
Resonate supports the United Nations Global Sustainable Development Goals. The symbols below indicate which of the 17 goals this event aligns with.
