Singh Twins Exhibition

Thetford Collections Featured By Internationally Renowned Artists

Internationally renowned artists, the Singh Twins Internationally renowned artists, the Singh Twins appeared in Norwich during January as part of their appeared in Norwich during January as part of their Slaves Of Fashion exhibition at Norwich Castle Slaves Of Fashion exhibition at Norwich Castle Museum and East Gallery, NUA. ‘Museum and East Gallery, NUA. ‘In Conversation With’ was hosted by Dr Rosy Gray, Curator of With’ was hosted by Dr Rosy Gray, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, who explored the Modern and Contemporary Art, who explored the themes of the exhibition and how the works were themes of the exhibition and how the works were linked to collections from museums and galleries linked to collections from museums and galleries across the UK. The Singh Twins are known for across the UK. The Singh Twins are known for pioneering a modern development pioneering a modern development of the Indian miniature tradition to of the Indian miniature tradition to address a range of modern, social address a range of modern, social and political themes. They spent and political themes. They spent months researching the collections months researching the collections at Norwich Castle. The exhibition at Norwich Castle. The exhibition includes strong references to the includes strong references to the Duleep Singh family and their Duleep Singh family and their connections to the Thetford area. connections to the Thetford area. ‘Casualty of War’ ‘Casualty of War’ – the painting that references the story of the that references the story of the last Maharajah of the Punjab, last Maharajah of the Punjab, Duleep Singh is part of the Duleep Singh is part of the exhibition along with a large exhibition along with a large painting featuring Princess painting featuring Princess Sophia Duleep Singh in Sophia Duleep Singh in ‘Cotton: Threads of Change’Threads of Change’ which also references her father, Maharajah Duleep Singh.references her father, Maharajah Duleep Singh. Slaves of Fashion is an exploration in how we Slaves of Fashion is an exploration in how we interpret historical objects, and how these objects interpret historical objects, and how these objects often link to each other as part of the global textile often link to each other as part of the global textile triangle of slavery, unethical trade and conflict. triangle of slavery, unethical trade and conflict. The trade of Indian textiles has been linked to the The trade of Indian textiles has been linked to the slave trade in America, the Industrial Revolution slave trade in America, the Industrial Revolution in Britain and the rise of the western empires. in Britain and the rise of the western empires. The exhibition also explores luxury lifestyles and The exhibition also explores luxury lifestyles and who and what paid for that lifestyle, uncovering who and what paid for that lifestyle, uncovering hidden histories and challenging ideas, both hidden histories and challenging ideas, both past and present. Speaking about their work the David Powell Advert 12.22.qxp_Layout 1 07/12/2022 12past and present. Speaking about their work the Singh Twins said, “An object in a museum is not Singh Twins said, “An object in a museum is not Interior & Exterior Ask for a free quotation Telephone: 07772 445375 5 Email: dcpowell197416@yahoo.com Please mention the About Thetford Magazine when responding to advertisements

Both images © Norfolk Museum Service

Email: dcpowell197416@yahoo.com Email: dcpowell197416@yahoo.com Please mention the About Thetford Magazine A-Z of Empire, Centre: Elizabeth I when responding to advertisementsTelephone: 07772 445375 Telephone: 07772 445375 5 Above: The Singh Twins with their Alternative

just a thing, it has a beauty and history. Our work is research driven and we’ve also built up our own archive. The show is never the same, as everywhere it’s exhibited, we work with local collections, certain stories come out in different venues.” As part of the Norwich exhibition a new work was commissioned which will go on permanent display at Norwich Castle Museum alongside a curated display by The Singh Twins. The piece, titled ‘Alternative A-Z of Empire’, has been inspired by the collections at Norfolk Museum Service. Talking about the work the Singh Twins said, “Issues around shared heritage and identity which challenge generally accepted notions of cultural ownership and the perceived divide between East and West and past and present, have always been central to our art. Our aim was to explore what seemingly unrelated objects from different periods and cultures reveal about the story of Empire and colonialism and how we are all connected to it both historically and today.” David Powell Advert 12.22.qxp_Layout 1 07/12/2022 12 Thetford is represented by the letter D, referencing the Duleep Singh story, a map and the bible on display at Ancient House Museum alongside a miniature from the collections and the gravestone at Elveden churchyard. The Thetford connection with the Singh Twins continues as the painting of Elizabeth I from the Prince Frederick Duleep Singh painting collection, Interior & Exterior displayed in Ancient House is set to feature in a new mural being unveiled in Manchester Ask for a free quotation Museum’s new South Asia Gallery. Telephone: 07772 445375 Above: The Singh Twins with their Alternative Email: dcpowell197416@yahoo.com A-Z of Empire, Centre: Elizabeth I

Both images © Norfolk Museum Service