PIO-Person Of Indian Origin

This photographic project began with a test shoot, experimenting with props such as mangos, Indian jewellery, a sari, coconut, Indian spices, and beaded mats to build a rich cultural mise-en-scène. Following this, I transitioned to film photography, a medium that perfectly captured the archival feel I was aiming for reminiscent of historical Punjabi family portraits, which traditionally signified social status. However, rather than focusing on societal position, this series delves into identity and belonging. Photographing my mother figure, who was adopted and seeking a connection to her Punjabi roots while embracing her British identity, made this project deeply personal. The fusion of traditional Indian elements with a Western gaze reflects the complexity of hybrid identity, highlighting the tension yet beauty in reconciling multi-cultural backgrounds.

Developing this project my final outcome was a series of old Indonesian wood frames with my developed film photographs. Before this I created a lamp out of a collage of old archival letters and stamps, emphasising the underlying theme of refurbishing and relating the old to the current.