Jagdishbhai Jairambhai Patel

I am currently studying towards a PhD exploring the intersections between anti-racism and socially engaged art through the histories of anti-racism in the Midlands between 1960 and 1985. The project focuses on three questions ;

1. What political and cultural activity was carried out by anti-racist activists in the Midlands during the period from 1960 to 1985?

2. How can the cultural activism inherent in anti-racist resistance during this time enter the framework of community, participatory and socially engaged art?

3. How can we use the legacies of anti-racism to inform approaches to SEA practice today?

It is a practice-based research project and will be developing work to exhibit during 2022. I have worked as an artist for over a decade and exhibited work across the country.

The research is supervised by Carolina Rito, Professor of Creative Practice Research at Coventry University with Rajinder Dudrah, Professor of Cultural Studies and Creative Industries at Birmingham City University and Jill Journeaux, Professor of Fine Art Education at Coventry University. 

Previously I was the Deputy Director of the human rights charity, the Monitoring Group in London. Over the past few years, I have undertaken projects with people from the Gypsy community, Portuguese farm workers, Asian football clubs, Northern Soul fans, victims of racial violence, Muslim War Veterans, and Punjabi bar owners in the Black Country. 

Awards  

Presence/Absence and the Melting Snow: Nottingham Arts Mela August 2020

Food Poverty and Mental Wellbeing: Photography stories: Himmah/Arts Council May 2020

Many Rivers to Cross (Commission by University of Wolverhampton) April 2018

Patrin: Gypsy Heritage in the East Midlands by HLF/Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group

Exhibitions  

Breaking Ground: Race and Community Football, Leicester Museums Feb-May 2020

When the Snow Melts: New Art Exchange, Sep-Dec 2019

Asian Activism in Nottingham: Primary, Nottingham June 2018

Many Rivers to Cross: Wolverhampton Art Gallery  April 2018

Desi Pubs: part of Alchemy Festival, Southbank Centre, London June 2016

Publications 

Coming of Age: 1976 and the road to anti-racism edited by Jagdish Patel and Suresh Grover