We Still Here
Celebrating the everyday people behind social change and the UK civil rights movement
By Jane Thakoordin
WE STILL HERE
Behind every famous inspirational figure in the UK civil rights movement are everyday people calling for social change. They’re why We Still Here.
Jane Thakoordin is a textiles artist who combines crafts and activism together. Embroidering is just as expressive as signing petitions, emailing politicians, or slogans on a cardboard placard. She is particularly inspired by the resurgence of the handmade banner for protest marches and how the act of gathering to create something together, helps people feel connected to one another. Over the course of 2022, Jane worked with various groups to make their own protest textile banner. Each of them contains slogans which distil the stories of quiet and loud activism in North Birmingham that were shared around the table.
This project builds on Jane’s initial commission for the Bus Boycott Block Party where she debuted the first of her textile banners. The first banners reflected both the conversations she had with local residents and her inspiration from the grass roots activism behind the Bristol Bus Boycott. The camaraderie between school children, students, unions, and other members of the public is one that Jane aimed to capture for We Still Here.
Having debuted at To The Streets! in Handsworth Park, the banners will be returned to the community groups they belong to. These banners are meant to be used because activism can’t be deadened, archived, or put behind a glass case. We’re still fighting for our rights today.
Who were the banners made with?
– BID Services
– Incredible Surplus and Places of Welcome
– National Express West Midlands’ Bus Drivers
– St John’s & St Peter’s C of E Academy
– West Indian Peoples Progressive Association
Jane worked with people who either live in or have strong connections to Ladywood and the surrounding area. Together they shared food, chatted, connected, and sewed their own textiles banners.
Birmingham 2022 Festival presents a China Plate and Birmingham Hippodrome project. A Creative City Project generously supported by Birmingham City Council.
Generously supported by Arts Council England and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, Birmingham City Council, Garfield Weston Foundation, Transport for West Midlands and National Express West Midlands.
Photos © Paperwolf Productions