Tim Blake
CULTURE NOT CLASS IS HOW WE COLLECT AND DIVIDE OURSELVES
TODAY, THERE ARE MORE THAN 5000 DIFFERENT ETHNO-RACIAL GROUPS AND SUB-GROUPS LIVING IN 189 NATION STATES. IN TWO COUNTRIES OUT OF THREE, THERE IS AT LEAST ONE SUBSTANTIAL MINORITY GROUP, REPRESENTING 10% OF THE POPULATION OR MORE. IN 150 OF THE 189 NATION STATES THERE ARE AT LEAST FOUR DIFFERENT ETHNO-RACIAL GROUPS WITHIN THEIR BORDERS. AT THE SAME TIME, THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 900 MILLION PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD WHO FACE SOME AGGRAVATED FORM OF DISCRIMINATION BECAUSE OF THEIR MINORITY STATUS AND IDENTITY
FOR THE MAJORITY OR DOMINANT CULTURE, MULTICULTURALISM HAS BEEN A HISTORICALLY USEFUL INSTRUMENT FOR EITHER CONTAINING MINORITIES AND FITTING THEM INTO SOCIETY'S FRAMEWORK, FOR MINORITIES, MULTICULTURALISM HAS BEEN AN ADDITIONAL STRATEGY OF RESISTANCE TO DOMINATION IN AN “EXTREMELY PRECARIOUS” POSITION.
This body of work explores issues of cultural identity and the different methods both the majority and minority groups used to cope with a changing situation. Religion is one of these methods both divisive and inclusive in its own right. The church was an important part of life for the newly settled immigrants in Brixton, which is reflected in Sam’s films however this caused widely varying perceptions of these groups and churches between the attendees and the majority.
As the windrush and the immigrants of the 50’s signified the start of British multiculturalism, Britain changes forever. No longer an imperialistic power only symbols of the empire remain but have the attitudes of the dominant culture changed towards ethnic groups. I explre these issues with film including MP’s Keith Hill, george Galloway and Ex MP Tony Benn, mixing cultures and perceptions through Characters like Njonjo Mwangi, born in Nakuru, Kenya settling in the UK in the 80’s and music. I’ll aso use photography, light installations and Topiary sculpture.