Welcome to this edition of [book spotlight]. Today, we uncover the layers of 'This Golden Mile,' by Kavi Pujara (published by Setanta Books). We'd love to read your comments below about these insights and ideas behind the artist's work.

Embarking on a poignant photographic journey through Leicester's Golden Mile, Kavi Pujara captures the essence of a neighborhood that has evolved yet remains deeply connected to its roots. His project, "This Golden Mile," serves as a bridge between Pujara's personal history and the broader narrative of immigration and cultural integration in the UK. Amidst the socio-political turmoil following the Brexit referendum, Pujara's work stands out as a beacon of positivity, showcasing the vibrancy and resilience of the immigrant community.

Through intimate portraits and candid streetscapes, he documents the nuanced realities of daily life, bringing to the forefront the complexities and beauty of multicultural coexistence. Pujara's return to Leicester, marked by a quest for reconnection, unfolds as a deeply reflective exploration of identity, belonging, and the transformative power of seeing one's community through a lens of empathy and understanding. His photographs do not merely depict a place; they narrate stories of adaptation, solidarity, and the enduring human spirit, offering a counter-narrative to the divisive rhetoric that has often dominated discussions about immigration and cultural diversity. In this way, "This Golden Mile" transcends its geographical confines, inviting viewers to reconsider their perceptions of community, heritage, and the fabric of British society itself.

Introduction to Your Work: Your project "This Golden Mile" explores a deeply personal connection to Leicester's neighborhood around the Golden Mile. What initially inspired you to start this project, and how has your relationship with the area evolved through your lens?

The images I have in the exhibition are from my project "This Golden Mile." A project that emerged as a means for me to reconnect with Leicester, its residents, and my past, after three decades of living away in London. I returned to my childhood city in 2016, the same week as the EU referendum result—a moment when both the personal and political converged. While the vote was ostensibly about Britain’s role in Europe, it also fueled a surge of anti-immigrant sentiment. Moving back with my wife and two young children, I needed to redefine how I saw my old neighborhood today, that it was no longer the place of racist taunts and attacks that I had endured growing up here in the 70s and 80s. In the wake of Brexit, I wanted to show that ultimately, this experiment in multiculturalism had succeeded, how this immigrant community had enriched the city rather than pushing it to ‘breaking point,’ as so often stated in pro-Brexit headlines.

Over the ensuing five years, as Britain negotiated its departure from the EU and introduced the biggest reforms to immigration law in a generation, I used portraiture as a way to restart a lapsed conversation with the residents of Belgrave.

Capturing Essence: In capturing the essence of the Golden Mile and its surroundings, what was your approach to portraying the everyday life and the vibrant community that exists beyond the commercial strip?

I decided to avoid shooting the main commercial strip and concentrate on all the roads that lead off it, mostly because I feel that I've seen those images before. It is what everyone photographs when visiting the area. Besides that, I took my time and got comfortable with the idea that I was going to photograph the area for many years, get to know it, and for the residents in the area to get to know me. The area is quite small, just a few square miles, so it didn't take long before I felt I had seen everything. But that is a good thing because when you push through that, you can find a new seam of inquiry that you weren't open to before.

Challenges and Triumphs: Photography often comes with its own set of challenges, especially when documenting community and personal history. Could you share some of the challenges you faced while working on this project and how you overcame them?

This was my debut project. I knew I wanted to take a long approach over many years to make it. So, it was important for me to focus on learning how to have a sustainable practice, learning how to have discipline, and remain engaged for the long term.

Memorable Interactions: Throughout your time photographing the Golden Mile, were there any interactions with locals or specific moments that stood out to you as particularly impactful or memorable?

So many. The picture of Haresh and Ashik comes to mind. I made that picture in the last bit of light on a summer evening outside one of the many specialist Asian supermarkets. Haresh and Ashik are old friends from back home in Diu and had only arrived in the UK a few months earlier. They were still finding their feet, still casually holding hands platonically as is commonplace for men in India to do. This image makes me think of assimilation. They were still learning the cultural codes of their new home, still navigating the tricky balance between leaning into the dominant culture while holding on to what you left behind.

The Impact of Socio-Political Climate: You've mentioned returning to Leicester in the context of significant socio-political events in the UK. How do you feel these events have influenced the narratives within your photographs?

It had a huge impact in terms of what I was thinking about while making the work and the conversations I was having with participants. Visually, there are subtle signifiers such as flags, doors, and padlocks, etc. Some of these I looked for, others only took on meaning during the editing and sequencing. Also, the arc of the UK negotiating a deal to leave the EU and the reforms to immigration policy that came after all happened in the years that followed the referendum result and somewhat dictated the length of the project too.

Technique and Style: Your work has a distinctive style that captures the intimacy and poetry of everyday scenes. Could you discuss your technique and how you achieve such a profound sense of closeness and familiarity in your images?

Thanks. That is very kind. I'm not sure if I was employing any technique as such. I tried to simplify the frame from clutter as much as I could, which was something I was constantly doing simply so the images were easy to read. Otherwise, because I knew the area from my childhood, there was a shared set of cultural references that I think would somehow surface unsaid between me and the sitter. That said, I made just as many portraits that didn't work and had no sense of closeness or familiarity—so it also comes down to just making a lot of work so you can edit it down to the images that do communicate something beyond the surface of things.

The Role of Heritage: Being born in Leicester and returning after many years, how has your heritage and personal history influenced your perspective and the way you chose to depict This Golden Mile?

Yes, I think we all bring something of ourselves to any work. Another photographer might have a different set of intentions that would yield very different results in the same area. Being from the area, being able to speak Gujarati, and having a history there definitely opened doors and gave me a shorthand when speaking with residents.

Future Projects: After "This Golden Mile," do you have any plans for future projects or areas of focus within photography that you're particularly excited about exploring next?

Great question and one I'm grappling with currently. I have several projects all at various stages of insecurity, and I'm not sure which one will come out ahead just yet. When I do, I'll let you know!

To discover more about this intriguing body of work and how you can acquire your own copy, you can find and purchase the book here.

Kavi Pujara (Website, Instagram) is a British-Asian photographer born in 1972, residing in Leicester, England, with his family. His work focuses on long-term photography projects that delve into community identity, migration, home, and place. Pujara adopts a documentary style in his photography, incorporating portraiture, landscapes, and still life to explore the interplay between personal and family histories with broader geopolitical events and class structures. He has received notable recognition for his work, including being a finalist for the Aperture Portfolio Prize in 2023, having two entries in the NPG Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize in 2022, receiving a Martin Parr Foundation photographic bursary in 2020, and winning the British Journal of Photography, Portrait of Britain in the same year. His works are held in several public collections and have been featured in key publications and exhibitions, such as "This Golden Mile" at the Martin Parr Foundation (Martin Parr Foundation).

Currently, Pujara is showcasing his work in the Haywood Gallery touring show curated by Johny Pitts, titled "After The End Of History: British Working Class Photography 1989 – 2024," which is on display at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum in Coventry until June 16, 2024.

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