Did you know that the Punjab to the Potteries exhibition is on at Keele University? First shown at New Vic Theatre in the run up to the play reading event of two newly commissioned short plays, the exhibition is currently on show in Chapters Cafe.
Punjab to the Potteries is a joint project between Appetite and New Vic. Two playwrights with strong ties to the South Asian community – Shahid Iqbal Khan and Sarah Bedi – were each commissioned to create a new 30-minute plays. The plays were researched and influenced by the memories and stories of people who were either born in the Punjab and migrated to The Potteries, or whose family made the journey and were born here. The plays were read by a cast during a celebration event at the theatre on 12 August 2023, which was a sell-out success.
As part of the project, photographic artist Sam Ivin created 23 portraits of the people who contributed their experiences as part of the research. During the process of taking the portraits, Sam took a keen interest in the sitter’s individual stories and used his conversations with them as the basis for the decorations that he hand painted onto each print. Tailored to each individual, they include colourful patterns and symbols inspired by Sikh images and Punjabi fashion.
If you’re interested in Sam’s artform, you can join him in a free workshop at Keele University as part of a series of events showcasing the practical processes and personal experiences of bringing a project like Punjab to the Potteries to life.
Monday 13 November: Sarah Bedi talk and introduction to writing. Sarah will discuss her connection with the stories she was told and how she found the experience of creating something new from them. She will then give audience members som exercises and techniques to help them begin their own writing journey
Friday 17 November: Members of the Punjab to the Potteries team, Gemma Thomas (Appetite director), Rasandeep Devgon (community engagement), Val Bansal (project originator), and Filiz Ozcan (play director) discuss the project, followed by a Q&A session with the audience.
Monday 20 November: Sam Ivin will give a brief introduction to his career as a photographic artist before taking audience members through practical exercises to capture portraits and work with the prints as art.
Booking by Eventbrite will be open soon so do please check back.
You can see the Punjab to the Potteries exhibition in Chapters Cafe until 25 November:
Monday – Friday: 7:30am – 6pm
Saturday & Sunday: 9:30am – 4pm
Parking is free on campus after 5pm every day during the week and all day on weekends. If you wish to visit on a week day during the day there is a small pay and display car park on Union Square but please note this does become very busy.
Access Chapters Cafe is fully accessible. There are a number of disabled parking bays in close proximity on Union Square car park. There is ramped and flat access from the car park to Chapters Cafe. Chapters Cafe is a public cafe so it can become busy with customers during a weekday; if you prefer a quieter time to visit we suggest after 5pm on a weekday or going along on the weekend.
