John's Art Project
Who's John?
John found this question a bit tricky to answer. He had lived in London for five years and was an artist at the time, but he had previously worked as an engineer in Bahrain.
What prompted John to move to the UK?
John described it as an "escape" in his own words. He explained that his desires were "extremely large" and he wanted to leave a place that held little cultural significance for him. "I was never welcome there," John said. He wondered if there might be a better place for him. He created a feature film and applied to Central Saint Martins.
What was it like to be an Indian Immigrant?
"I am always the outsider," John said. Born in India, his parents moved him to Bahrain when he was very young. He felt like an outsider in both Bahrain and India. However, the moment John landed in London, he experienced a sense of belonging for the first time in his life. London had become his home.
Did John ever think about moving to India?
That was a no for John. He shared that he had been living in London for five years now and had decided he wasn't going anywhere.
What was John's Art Project about? Where did the idea originate?
John wanted to create an archive of some parts of his life. He decided to take photos of his shoes, and with the help of Chat GPT, he created provocative texts for his photos. One example was the pair of shoes he had worn for 10 years, with the text: "Art should challenge deceived wisdom appending our expectations of loved and hated characters alike. This pair of shoes represents the importance of looking beyond appearances and understanding the larger story, no matter the discomfort."
Did John view every project as an enterprise?
It was a yes for John. He believed that "positioning oneself is an enterprise" in itself. Using his art project as an example, he explained that navigating his identities and securing funding for the project was a true entrepreneurial endeavour. To him, being an entrepreneur meant taking risks, which he described as having the courage to take on projects. Ultimately, these projects brought him happiness, and he felt, "it's worth it.”
What disappointments did John faced?
John explained that there were aspects beyond his control. For example, he had to work with the editor and was upset by delays in the magazine's release. Despite these frustrations, John emphasised, "You've got to get used to it. You've got to rise above it... You should believe that you are doing good enough.”
What external factors supported John in his journey?
John's journey with his art project had been support by various factors, particularly his wife's encouragement during her cancer diagnosis. The past four months had been tough, making even simple tasks feel challenging. He treasured the time he had with her and was grateful for her support. While moving houses was a burden, he found that engaging in physical activities like creating artwork offered him much-needed relief from his trauma and gave him a sense of "opening". Living in London had also been beneficial for him. He appreciated connecting with others who understood him. This vibrant community helped him meet friends and build a supportive network, all of which played a significant role in enhancing his art project journey.
What challenges did John face in London?
John found starting life in London challenging, from getting a bank account to finding a place to live. Luckily, he and his wife had a solid support network. While studying, they struggled with the high cost of living, which he described as "everything is like a conveyor belt," requiring them to figure things out quickly. Despite the chaos, he emphasised the importance of making time for his art projects. It took him 18 months to find balance, set up his company, and begin online teaching. Their schedules often required them to switch roles; when his wife was working, he focused on his art, and vice versa, allowing them to support each other.
John faced stereotypes, including being questioned about his abilities due to his skin colour, but he proved his worth through his impressive work. He also encountered assumptions at times. He didn’t appreciate being labeled as Arab by his professors since he didn't identify that way, so he spoke up for himself, wanting them to understand his true identity. When asked about his courage to do this, John explained that he came from a small country and felt he had "nothing to lose." He spoke about the bravery it took to leave his hometown, adding that he didn't really worry about much else beyond that.