EnTWINed – Singh Twins Tote Bag

Inspired by The Singh Twins’ artwork ‘EnTWINed’. Commissioned by and currently on display at the Museum of London, this artwork reinterprets two Victorian paintings in the Museum’s collection by Nelson O’Neill depicting the embarking on/disembarking from ships by British soldiers who fought against the Indian Mutiny (or, First War of Indian Independence) of 1857 which posed a major threat to the British Raj. The Singh Twins comment on this important event in Indo-British colonial history from the Indian perspective: one which replaces the British soldiers with Indian heroes of resistance against British rule and incorporates other figures and details that represent some of the legacies of Empire and colonialism – not least, the impact, positive contribution and achievements of the UK’s Asian Diaspora across all fields of ‘British’ life and culture including music, film, entertainment, commerce, language, fashion, politics, sport and technology. Historical quotes make parallels between the political rhetoric used by the British during the Indian Mutiny and that of modern day conflicts such as the USA’s War on Iraq – both of which assert the superiority of western values as justification for their conquest and invasion of other Nations.