‘Queer Brown Stories’, as heard on BBC Radio 6, is a mural curated by Dhaga that celebrates the diverse and multifaceted experiences of Queer and Trans South Asian existence within cities and expresses the community's wishes for the future of Camley Street.
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Camley Street is changing and will become a highly sustainable new neighbourhood with genuinely affordable homes, improved business space, and job opportunities, underpinned by a bold vision for meaningful and imaginative public space. To help make this happen, the council will work with a developer partner, bringing together a team that values the community's input as much as we do. Over the coming years, a series of artworks by different local communities will be hosted in this underpass gallery space as part of Camden Council’s inclusive neighbourhood development.
The nine distinct but interconnected boards weave together stories unique to the local Queer and Trans South Asian community, created through workshops for them and by them. Each board intertwines personal narratives with broader social themes, depicting how these two inseparable concepts create distinct experiences in public spaces and cities, inspired by a collective poem that underpins the project's entirety. ‘Queer Brown Stories’ emphasises the diversity and many connections of the community; how fear, hope, differences, dreams and histories sit side by side in solidarity in many Queer and Trans lives and appear in their experiences with public space in today’s society.
The mural calls for ways in which cities can better support the complexity of Queer and Trans South Asian people and those who have intersectional identities, striving to build places where these communities – among others - can feel liberated to safely be who they are.
We also want to thank the Naz and Matt Foundation, Club Kali, the HENNA Asian Women’s Group, The Bengali Women’s Forum, and the Old Diorama Arts Centre for all their support in making this project happen.
Borders and Bodies
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
The 'Queer Brown Stories' mural is located at the Camley Street Underpass Gallery, near 120 Camley Street. It hopes to express the desires, stories and experiences of a community that has always existed and yet lacked recognition by the city. It is evident that the narratives and visions of the community and the questions posed represent a model of deep inclusivity, which has the potential to shape cities that truly recognise, embed and cater to diverse and intersectional identities.
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