Exhibition at Compton Verney.
Coventry photographer Maganbhai Patel (1924-2018), commonly known as Masterji, arrived in the UK from Bombay in 1951. A keen photographer he studied photography in 1963 after finishing work. In 1969 he bought a shop in Coventry which he transformed into a photographic studio, it was also the family home.
Photo Archive Miners began working with Masterji’s archive in 2015 along with his daughter Tarla. His initial solo exhibition was at the age of 94 in 2016. His wonderful archive of portraits spans over fifty years and epitomises the people who migrated here in search of work. Tarla worked closely with the curator and gallery at Compton Verney to present the close connection her father had with the local community. She believes it is important to share these images with the generations who follow those first arrivals, to understand their history, along with the political and technological changes. Tarla wanted to highlight the role her mum had in the business, she wasn’t simply a housewife. The exhibition includes an reconstruction of Masterji’s darkroom, a display case with his various cameras, the case he travelled from India with, and a rather lovely display of snapshots (see image 5) which are accompanied by oral histories.
A book of Masterji’s work was available so I bought myself a copy. In the introduction Dr Mark Sealy argues that a comprehensive history of photography is incomplete without acknowledging the importance of non Western imagery (Patel, Patel and Sealy, 2017). Masterji’s archive offers an insight into the lives and aspirations of the Indian diaspora living in Coventry. Despite often facing racism and discrimination it was an opportunity for his subjects to send a photograph to family in India showing how they had prospered. Using props and painted backdrops Masterji ensured their appearance reflected their new found status.
References / Bibliography .
Masterji: Coventry’s secret 94-year-old photographer-in pictures (2016) Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2016/nov/10/masterji-coventry-photographer-maganbhai-patel-immigration-in-pictures. Accessed 10/05/22
Patel, M., Patel, T. and Sealy, M., 2017. Masterji. Coventry: Photo Miners.
Judith Bach 