SAATCHI GALLERY TO PRESENT ANEESA DAWOOJEE’S MARCH OF THE HUMMINGBIRDS, DOCUMENTING THE RICH HISTORIES AND CULTURES OF THE CARIBBEAN & MAURITIUS, AND CELEBRATING THE POWER OF COMMUNITY SPIRIT
Saatchi Gallery is delighted to present the work of award-winning portrait and social-documentary photographer Aneesa Dawoojee as part of its major programme of winter exhibitions. Open to the public from 5 November 2024 – 5 January 2025, March of the Hummingbirds is a compassionate and considered project that documents the rich histories and cultures of the Caribbean, along with Mauritius, whose histories are closely connected. This body of work stems from Dawoojee’s desire to show the power of community spirit and how cultures can crossover through shared values and acts of kindness.
Dawoojee’s strong belief in multiculturalism comes from her Trinidadian and Mauritian parentage. Places where African, Indian, Syrian, Chinese and European people could all be together in one place without judgement. Her home in South London is a similar meeting point of migrant communities who are creating their own fusion of British culture, where everyone has a place.
This project is in memory of all the elders whose ordinary lives were not reflected in textbooks. Inspired by her mother’s story, and extensive time spent in the Caribbean, Dawoojee has been moved to explore the deeper links between the West Indies and the UK, through themes of inter-race relations, trade, indenture, faith, love and feminism.
While she believes that there is no migrant story that comes without some painful recollections, Dawoojee’s photographs emphasises the importance in telling these histories by those who lived them. By sharing each story, she hopes to reduce racial tensions and divisions within modern Britain and to display the power in community.
Dawoojee comments: “My hope is to one day have all this work go into every secondary school in the UK to compliment migrant history, as an alternative way of learning about one another, to encourage empathy, trust and understanding.”
The majority of works within March of the Hummingbirds were first exhibited at the Royal Photographic Society as part of Only Human: Aneesa Dawoojee and we thank the RPS for their partnership & support of this exhibition.
This exhibition is kindly supported by MPB.
Admission is granted with Saatchi Gallery’s combined Winter Exhibitions ticket, which permits entry to March of the Hummingbirds; As We Rise: Photography from the Black Atlantic; and Anastasia Samoylova: Adaptation for a price usually reserved for a single exhibition ticket. Saatchi Gallery Winter Lates will take place on 8 November, 6 December and 17 January, featuring drawing classes, workshops and creative activations.
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About Aneesa Dawoojee
Aneesa Dawoojee is a multi-award-winning portrait and social-documentary photographer from South London. Her images aim to break down stereotypes and celebrate the ordinary people and communities surrounding her. Dawoojee is an associate lecturer at Northampton University and is a fellow at the Royal Photographic Society. She is the recipient of the RPS Solo International Photography Exhibition 163 Award (2022), and has been featured in Forbes Woman Africa, BBC and the British Journal of Photography’s Portrait of Humanity for three consecutive years since 2021. Her approach to visual communication has culminated in the touring exhibition Only Human, most recently displayed at the Royal Albert Hall, London (2024).
Dawoojee was most recently awarded the ‘Power of Photography Award’ in 2023 by AP magazine for “an outstanding body of work that shines a light on important issues, challenging perceptions and changing the way we see the world” – AP Magazine.
About MPB
MPB is the largest global platform to buy, sell and trade used photo and video gear. We’ve served more than 625,000 visual storytellers and every year we recirculate more than 570,000 cameras, lenses and accessories. While visual storytelling is our main passion, circularity is at the centre of MPB. We promote sustainability, diversity and inclusion in everything we do.
About RPS
The Royal Photographic Society (RPS) is an educational charity with a commitment to bring photography to everyone and as such is a world-leading photographic community, made up of accomplished artists, dedicated academics, hobbyists, and seasoned professionals. Membership is open to everyone.
Founded in 1853, when photography was in its infancy, the objective of the RPS is to make the art and science of photography more widely available. The RPS aims to inspire people through its innovative exhibitions, its award-winning RPS Journal, and recognise photographers in its highly respected awards. The RPS helps photographers create images through its educational programmes, qualifications, and its public initiatives; and it seeks to connect photographers through its UK and international community groups.
About Saatchi Gallery
Since 1985, Saatchi Gallery has provided an innovative platform for contemporary art. Exhibitions have presented works by largely unseen young artists, or by international artists whose work has been rarely or never exhibited in the UK. This approach has made the Gallery one of the most recognised names in contemporary art. Since moving to its current 70,000 square feet space in the Duke of York’s Headquarters in Chelsea, London, the Gallery has welcomed over 10 million visitors. The Gallery hosts thousands of school visits annually and has over 6 million followers on social media. In 2019 Saatchi Gallery became a registered charity, beginning a new chapter in its history.
Registered Charity Number: 1182328 | Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 4RY
NOTES TO EDITORS
For all press enquiries, please contact +44 (0) 20 7811 3091, or:
Niamh Elain, Marketing & Press Executive, niamh.e@saatchigallery.com
Amelia Okell, Head of Communications, amelia@saatchigallery.com
Dates
Press preview: 4 November, 10AM–1PM.
Open to the public: 5 November 2024 – 5 January 2025, 10AM – 6PM
Saatchi Lates: Friday 8 November, Friday 6 December, Friday 17 January
Spaces
March of the Hummingbirds will occupy Gallery 10 on the First Floor.
Admission
This is a ticketed exhibition. A ticket will grant entry to March of the Hummingbirds, Anastasia Samoylova: Adaptation, and As We Rise. Tickets can be booked in advance online at https://www.saatchigallery.com/product/winter-exhibitions
Images
Press images can be obtained via our press page: www.saatchigallery.com/press. By using the images, you acknowledge and accept the terms and conditions found on our website. These images can only be reproduced to illustrate a review or criticism of a work or report as defined by section 30 (i) and (ii) of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
Social Media
Join the discussion about the exhibition online with #AneesaDawoojee:
Instagram: @saatchi_gallery TikTok, X: @saatchi_gallery Facebook: @saatchigalleryofficial
School visits & Community groups
With the generous support of all our patrons, for each major exhibition, there are opportunities for students and community groups to engage in creative projects and workshops. For more details, visit www.saatchigallery.com/learning or call +44 (0) 20 7811 3087.