Overview

Discover the intersection of art, local history, and anti-racism at Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery in Ealing, West London, with the Southall Resists 2024 exhibition. This powerful showcase features silk paintings and sculptures created by local children through the Young Voices programme, a Southall-based initiative designed to educate young people about their community’s rich and complex history.

Southall, part of the London Borough of Ealing, often called “Little Punjab” or “Little India,” has been a vibrant hub for migrant communities since the 1950s. The area is home to one of London’s largest Sikh communities and significant Hindu, Muslim, and Christian populations. However, Southall’s history is also marked by racial tensions and struggles against racism, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s.

Guided by local activists Janpal Basran and Suresh Grover and artist Mahenderpal Sorya, the Young Voices programme engaged children in art workshops that focused on visually representing and commemorating Southall’s history. The exhibition features eleven collaborative silk paintings, sculptures, and a film celebrating the children’s reflections on pivotal events in Southall’s past. These works explore anti-racism themes and the experiences of Southall’s migrant communities, allowing the young artists to consider how these issues impact their lives today and how they envision the future.

The children’s artworks were first displayed at Villiers High School during Southall Resists Day on 23 April 2024, a major event that brought the community together to honour its history of resistance and resilience. These powerful pieces are now showcased at Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery for a broader audience to experience and reflect upon.