My new series, ‘Pioneers’ (2021), was commissioned by Facebook for reproduction in their new London headquarters. The installation will take place in early 2022.
Throughout British history, the contributions and sacrifices made by pioneering minority Britons have been largely relegated to obscurity. I look to pay homage to such figures that rose above adversity and created significant change still emanating within modern British society. This series includes Dame Jocelyn Barrow, Fou Ts’ong, Dadabhai Naoroji and Leonora Carrington.
Dame Jocelyn Barrow (1929-2020) was instrumental in forming the 1965 Race Relations Act, making racial discrimination illegal in Britain for the first time. Barrow was a founding member, general secretary and later vice-chair of Campaign Against Racial Discrimination - the organisation that between 1964 and 1967 lobbied for race relations legislation and was responsible for the Race Relations Act of 1968.
Dadabhai Naoroji (1825-1917) was the first Asian heritage Member of Parliament. He represented Finsbury Central between 1892 - 1895. Whilst in Parliament, he campaigned against colonialism, and in favour of education and workers' rights.Was a founding member of the East India Association and London Indian Society, and became vocal in promoting Indian rights in regard to the ICS and trade.
Chinese-born British pianist Fou Ts’ong (1934-2020) was the first pianist of his national origin to achieve international recognition. He became one of the great teachers of Chopin music in recent memory. His intellectual parents had both committed suicide, victims of China’s Cultural Revolution. His contributions to his genre are still felt in the UK and beyond.
British-Mexican artist, surrealist painter, and novelist, Mary Leonora Carrington OBE (1917–2011) was one of the last surviving participants in the Surrealist movement of the 1930's. Carrington was also a founding member of the women's liberation movement in Mexico during the 1970's.