Bindi Vora - EXPOSURE INTERNATIONAL OPEN CALL

Mountain of Salt (2020-21) is an expansive body of work comprised of found images, appropriated text and digital shape collages, initially conceptualised as a human response to the unfolding of covid-19. In March 2020 as the pandemic gripped the world, I like many others became acutely aware of the landscape in which we were living in, where everything felt amplified; clinging to the news for updates, statistics and curves – in my own way analysing the myriad forms of information being shared.

This text-based series of collages focuses on the language used over the last year and developed from the collecting of words and sentences derived from politicians, journalists and individuals all sharing their commentary, updates or thoughts. As each wave/lockdown unfolded across the UK the evolution of works were further punctuated by many issues that are of global concern and moments that have affected us well beyond the pandemic – equality, hyper-vigilance, ‘Brexit’, pledges of reform and prolonged moments of stillness are all encompassed and bookended with some of the more light-hearted moments experienced in these times.

The distinct rhetoric of collective responsibility, togetherness and unity constantly being pushed onto us by those in positions of power is further amplified by the shapes that appear in the works and reflects a semantic response to this – they aren’t only there to direct your gaze across the image or to pause in certain spaces but contemplate the etymological meaning of what the shapes represent. This curious collection of phrases speaks to the dissemination of language and its effect upon us.

BIOGRAPHY

Bindi Vora is a British-Indian contemporary photographic artist, curator and lecturer. Her practice utilizes various analogue
processes, often taking inspiration from her everyday surroundings, which include her personal archive. She is interested in the way materials or ephemera can be reused or recycled to create new narratives but can be traced back to other works, almost like interconnected tissues.

Her works have been exhibited in a number of thematic exhibitions in the United Kingdom and across the world including
The Photographers’ Gallery (UK); Yinka Shonibare’s Guest Projects (UK); 180 The Strand (UK); Victoria & Albert Museum of Childhood (UK); Phoenix Gallery (UK); Cultural Centre of Belgrade (RS); Benaki Museum (GR); Art Stage, (SG); amongst others. Her works have been published in PYLOT, Capricious Magazine and Loose Associations, and has appeared on various websites including I Heart Women, Hyperallergic, A Corner With; being named as “one to watch” by The Wick Culture in 2021. Her series Mountain of Salt (2020-21) initiated during the Covid-19 pandemic was exhibited at Bugis MTR station as part of the Singapore International Photography Festival, is currently on display as part of Format International Photography Festival and will be displayed as part of an exhibition titled ‘Looking Back, Looking Forward’ organised by Imperial Health Charity.

Vora’s self-published artist book In the blue light we failed. (2014), has been acquired by The Women’s Art Library at Goldsmith’s University (UK), Franklin Furnace Artist Book Collection / Museum of Modern Art (US), Self-Publish Be Happy at Maison Européenne de la Photographie (FR), amongst others. Her photographic works are included in the public art collection of the Imperial Health Charity (UK) and The Hyman Collection (UK) alongside a number of private collections across the world. She lives and works in London, UK.