Making Connections: using the arts and multi-media to explore the stories of diaspora communities in Britain

Tim Smith

Note: Internal event not open to external attendees.

Tim will talk about how collaborative work between creatives, curators and diaspora communities can be used to explore the connections between Britain and the rest of the world. Illustrated with photographs taken during his thirty year career he will describe how he uses photography, oral history and film-making to weave together historical narratives with people’s own individual memories, thoughts and reflections to explore issues such as migration, culture and identity.

The latest of his exhibitions is India’s Gateway: Gujarat, Mumbai & Britain. This multi-media show traces the history of Gujarat and Mumbai as age-old centres of global trade and migration, and focuses on the region’s remarkable relationship with Britain. Tim will describe how his previous work with a wide range of partners led to the genesis of this project, and how a broad constituency of people have made contributions to the show as it continues on its tour of venues across England.

About the Speaker

Tim grew up in the Caribbean, east Africa, the UK and the USA. After studying Documentary Photography in South Wales he worked as a photojournalist, covering northern England for The Observer newspaper throughout the 1990s. In 2000 he moved on from editorial photography to concentrate on in-depth projects, and to work in a variety of media.

He is based in Yorkshire, and the region and its diverse communities have provided the inspiration and acted as a springboard for numerous national and international projects, many about the links between Britain and people in other parts of the world. Dozens of his exhibitions have toured extensively to museums and galleries across the UK and to over twenty countries worldwide. His main interests as a photographer, researcher and writer have been showcased in eleven books, including publications about Poland, Ukraine, Yemen, India and Pakistan.

He is a member of Panos Pictures, a multi-media agency specialising in global social issues which is respected for its integrity and willingness to engage with issues beyond the contemporary media agenda.  It represents photographers and film-makers worldwide who “bring an unparalleled understanding and awareness of the sensitivities and ethical dimensions of the issues and areas they explore”.

Organiser: Centre for Migration and Diaspora Studies

Contact email: cb92@soas.ac.uk