Sonia Uddin is a socially engaged visual artist and filmmaker from London, with a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to her practice. Sonia works across a variety of media; film, performance, sculpture, collage, and prints. Her work focuses on an exploration of social histories, exchange, group dynamics, community voice, and conditions that lead to resistance, unrest, and allow for resilience.
Sonia grew up in social housing in London, and therefore has a strong interest in social justice and the built environment. She has campaigned for better social housing and against council-led estate demolition. Her research and practice predominantly engage with the themes surrounding social architecture, migration and resistance, the built environment, public and private spheres, and the voices that emerge during times of community struggle. Social histories, visual and oral archives form the basis of Sonia’s research based documentary approach. Sonia founded her local tenants association which she currently chairs. This civic initiative has provided a platform to voice residents’ concerns relating to regeneration programmes impacting the neighbourhood. Last year she shot and edited a short documentary, working with content collected over a two-year period in her community on this subject.
Sonia’s proposal is informed by the no. 4 point in the Black Panther 10 point programme – we want decent housing fit for the shelter of human beings. She reflects on the issues of overcrowding and social housing in an instagram post:
“Social or physical distancing is a privilege if you’re awarded space. Huge demand for #council housing amidst a shortage has led to policy where your living room is considered a potential bedroom. Isolation was not being able to play outdoors due to local council restrictions locking up green spaces on our estate since the 80’s. There was constant harassment and casual racism, sometimes violent whether or not we did”
Sonia Uddin has been commissioned by Counterpoints Arts as part of ‘To love, care, breathe… as acts of justice’.
Email: Camdenstudios1966@gmail.com
Image (c) PopChange
