A photo exhibition has sparked debate around the complex relationships and cultural heritage of India and Pakistan.
The Lahore – Chandigarh: A Tale of Two Cities exhibition by artist William Titley has got people talking about the British Raj and the impact felt in India and Pakistan.
The five-week exhibition at the Exchange Ilford shopping centre looks at the cultural similarities of cities Chandigarh in India and Lahore in Pakistan and the legacy left by partition - the separation of India and Pakistan after British rule.
The collection of black and white photos is being curated by Redbridge College students, who are displaying their own work too.
League of British Muslims chairman Bashir Chaudhry, whose roots are in the Punjab province of Pakistan, said: “It [partition] hasn’t done any good to the people of South Asia.” He added: “People were living peacefully with each other - since the partition, it’s been problematic.”
Talks and workshops are accompanying the gallery during its stay, with an acting workshop from director Guleraana Mir due to take place on Saturday.
Titley, the man behind the camera, said: “The idea of communities being separated by a political border seems ludicrous and I wanted the work to encourage people to imagine the two cities as one place.”
The display comes to a close on July 19.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here