Threads of Resistance
Ebrahim Piperdi
BA (Hons) Photography, London College of Communication
Threads of Resistance is a multimedia project made in collaboration with fellow South Asian LGBTQ+ individuals to help remove the stigma around our existence and self-expression. Furthermore, it served as a tool to heal from the emotional scars of my upbringing as a bisexual person in a conservative Islamic Indian household. As marginalised people, societal norms often confine us. My project seeks to deconstruct these constraints, aiming to challenge conventional paradigms.
Through photography, the use of traditional fashion, and in-depth interviews, I endeavour to empower participants to reclaim their narratives and celebrate the richness of our intersecting identities. All images were shot in locations that were meaningful to the subjects during their period of self-discovery. This setting provided a personal and emotional backdrop that added depth to their stories. The project highlights the diversity within the South Asian LGBTQ+ community, capturing the vibrancy of traditional garments juxtaposed with contemporary self-expression. Each participant's choice of clothing serves as a powerful symbol of their heritage and identity, blending the old with the new to create a unique statement of who they are.
Threads of Resistance is more than just an art project; it is a movement towards visibility and acceptance. It challenges the invisibility imposed by societal norms and offers a space for self-affirmation and solidarity. By bringing these stories to the forefront, the project aspires to inspire others within the community to embrace their identities proudly and to advocate for greater inclusivity and equality.
Ultimately, Threads of Resistance is a testament to the resilience and creativity of South Asian LGBTQ+ individuals. It stands as a vibrant mosaic of voices and visions, celebrating the beauty and strength found in diversity. Through this project, I hope to contribute to a broader dialogue on acceptance and to pave the way for a more inclusive future where everyone can express their true selves without fear or shame.
The project is highly relevant to South Asian Heritage Month and the theme of the exhibition "Free to be Me" as the work is heavily tied to South Asian culture and explores the idea of queerness in response to the constraints that Asian people have been through with their sexualities and self-expression and celebrates these differences rather than hiding them.
Artist Statement:
Ebrahim Piperdi is a British Indian Photographer based in London, navigating the intersectionality of being a Queer person raised in a traditional Muslim household. This forms the heart of his practice as he captures the complexities of not only being both Queer and South Asian, but simultaneously dealing with mental health issues due to his tumultuous upbringing. Ebrahim's work strives to shift the perception of LGBTQIA+ South Asians in mainstream media and fight the stigma around mental health in the South Asian community as he challenges stereotypes and amplifies their voices with his platform.
His work has been showcased in two exhibitions at Peckham's Copeland Gallery, most notably the "DEMETER" showcase in March 2023. A collaborative project of his with other creatives has been displayed at the charity shop Crisis in their Elephant and Castle branch in February 2023. London College of Communication has also exhibited his work for their "Photovoice" exhibition in 2022 and hosted his latest project "Threads of Resistance" as part of the Media graduate showcase. Piperdi's project "but they don't look at me" was showcased at the Central Saint Martins LGBTQIA+ History Month exhibition in February 2024 and will be on show at the "You Can Sit With Us" exhibition championing queer South Asian artists at the Swiss Cottage Gallery this August. Piperdi will also be a part of the ELLE Next Generation mentorship scheme for the next year.