QUEER BROWN STORIES
collaborative mural, community engagement.
Queer Brown Stories’, as heard on BBC Radio 6 is an initiative led by and for the Queer & Trans South Asian community in Camden. It is part of the Connecting Camley Street Artwork Programme. Curated by Dhaga, this project expresses the Queer & Trans South Asian Community’s experience and aspirations for the future of cities through creative community engagement.
Mural Artists: Sarith Ratnayake, Aaran Sian
Creative Workshop Facilitators: Nikita Aashi Chadha, Sarith Ratnayake, Aaran Sian
What would a city that centres Queer and Trans South Asian folx be like?
Central to this initiative were two creative workshops, designed to hold space for the community to come together and share their experiences through exploratory creative outputs. These sessions were instrumental in shaping the narrative and visual identity of the mural.
Each participant's contribution, whether through poetry or collage, are boldly woven into the mural by myself and artist Sarith Ratnayake.
These include celebrating Queer joy and the connected intersectionality within the community, the often layered and complex identities of Queer and Trans South Asian people which are shaped by many facets; such as, personal and collective histories, ancestral connections, navigating a Queer diasporic identity within the city and the community’s visions for a more inclusive future.
How can urban spaces and design reflect queer and trans narratives?
Space, Place and belonging
Poetry Workshop: Facilitated by Nikita Aashi Chadha
The project commenced with a free-writing poetry workshop called 'Space, Place & Belonging', facilitated by artist, writer and poet, Nikita Aashi Chadha (they/them). This was a closed, safe online space for folks to engage with complex themes within diasporic experience in a lighter touch way through the mediums of poetry and freewriting and the lenses of postcolonial and Queer theory.
Participants explored the localised Queer & Trans South Asian history of Camden, and their feelings towards space, place & belonging. The collective poem created during the workshop flows through the mural and mingles with the conversations and visuals that arose from the second workshop.
This workshop centred collective collaging, carving out space for participants to explore their experiences, and envisage the future of Queer South Asian presence in Camden.
Taking up space in the city
Collective Collage Workshop: Facilitated by Sarith Ratnayake & Aaran Sian
To celebrate the mural, an event was held at the underpass to unravel the artwork and celebrate the community’s input.
As the mural explored various themes of Queer and Trans South Asian existence in the city, and was designed to pose many questions and prompts to gauge further dreaming and exploring by the community - I faciliated another workshop where the community were encouraged to draw a response over printed versions of the mural design, gently prompted by questions.
Take a closer look at the artwork by Sarith Ratnayake and Aaran Sian
'Borders And Bodies'
Artist: Aaran Sian
This is us, the Queer and Trans South Asian Diaspora. We exist. Distinct but interconnected, we hold space for the different races, identities, faiths and cultures that make up our community. We consist of a range of experiences, across different places, spaces and enforced colonial borders.
Being Queer and South Asian
Artist: Sarith Ratnayake
Societally and in the city, it's challenging to exist as we are - especially when we're constantly being perceived by those around us. We can't and don't want to separate the parts of ourselves: being Queer and South Asian. We want to be free to exist in public spaces, showing up as our full selves.
Fluid Identities
Artist: Sarith Ratnayake
We have multiple authentic selves. As Queer and Trans South Asian people, we have to shapeshift due to our environments. This might mean we are not ‘out’ in all of the spaces and communities we inhabit, but that doesn’t make our Queer and Trans identities any less valid.
Safer Spaces
Artist: Aaran Sian
When we’re navigating cities and spaces, we feel like we have to hide or minimise our queerness or transness. This can be due to the very real threat to our safety. What could a city be like which supported us and celebrated our expression and love?
Inclusive neighbourhoods
Artist: Sarith Ratnayake
We imagine cities and neighbourhoods where we can exist as ourselves, a safe haven surrounded by nature. Where Queer and Trans South Asians can exist safely and freely - with agency over our own spaces.
Support Systems and Kinship
Artist: Sarith Ratnayake
Even when we look at our history and long for ancestral connection, it can feel like our presence has been forgotten. We have had to carve out our own communities and support systems through chosen kinship. Our collective care for one another is radical and revolutionary. Our support systems deserve to be sustained and nourished.
Club Kali: Camden’s History
Artist: Aaran Sian
Camden has been home to the legendary Club Kali, a club night and network for Queer and Trans South Asians since the 90s. It became a life affirming infrastructure for many of the community. We have a history and presence in the city that we must remember and build upon. Now, more than ever, we need to celebrate Queer South Asian History and ensure its visibility.
Our Visions for the Future
Artist: Aaran Sian
Lets build a future together that celebrates us, where we are visibly part of the landscape. A city that centres queerness, transness and other intersectional experiences. Where queer joy of all races, shapes and sizes thrive. A safer space where we all feel welcome.
We Belong
Artist: Aaran Sian
Throughout time, we have always been here. South Asian folks who have embodied and lived fluidly, navigating different intersections of sexuality and gender. Mixing these parts of ourselves with our ancestry, heritage and traditions because we are whole. We’re an integral, necessary part of this world. We exist. We belong. We always have. In the city, to the skies and the earth.
