Panjabi tales of Willenhall, a striking photographic exhibition curated by Mohammed Ali MBE of Soul City Arts. It was initiated by Sucha Mela, namely Manpreet Darroch, Ramitirth Uppal and Genesis media with photography by Safwan Chowdhury of Soul City Arts.

This project shines a spotlight on the remarkable stories of the South Asain Panjabi community who migrated to Willenhall between the 1950s and 1980s. Through compelling collection of photographs, this exhibition celebrates their invaluable contributions to the town’s rich industrial history and vibrant cultural landscape.

Each photograph in this collection is more than just an image; it is a celebration of Panjabi fortitude, revealing the personal journeys, triumphs, challenges faced by the community. These portraits document the vibrant tapestry of Panjabi influence on the town and share just some of the life in Willenhall. We hope through these pictures you see parallels to yourself, your parents and your grandparents – people who gave us the opportunity to build a life here.

Sucha Mela is a Panjabi live music fair in the Willenhall Memorial Park. Bringing together the Panjabi community from across the local area and UK, to experience live music and performances from world renowned Panjabi artist. This project is in collaboration with the Sucha Mela, to create a unique outdoor exhibition at the event, as well as working with them to capture there community authentically

See more from the Sucha Mela

 

 

 

 

 

 

Artist Mohammed Ali celebrates the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh at the Bloomsbury Festival, bringing life to the frontages of the Holy Cross church and the British Library, with film projections telling the stories of early Bangladeshi migrants.

Speaking of the struggles, the hardships and the joys of making a new home in a foreign land, the interviews will extract the life and journeys of those who left the motherland of Bangladesh, at a time of political turmoil in the 70s

These interviews were projected onto the front of the Holy Cross Church and then again onto the British Library at dusk during Bloomsbury Festival.

Bangladeshi Tales of Kings Cross