Sabrina Tirvengadum: Who Were They? Who Am I?

அவர்கள் யார்? நான் யார்?

In Who Were They? Who Am I? artist Sabrina Tirvengadum takes a personal journey into identity, ancestry and the hidden histories that shape who we are. Inspired by their father’s life and family stories passed down through generations, this exhibition connects personal narratives with the larger history of Indian indentured labour in Mauritius. At its heart, it asks a universal question: How much of who we are comes from who they were?

Using archival photographs, AI-generated imagery, digital art and film. Sabrina blends personal and collective memories to reimagine moments that were lost, hidden or never existed. This approach shows the nature of how memory works, mixing truth, interpretation and imagination.

A key part of this journey is the artist’s DNA link to the Marrier d’Unienville family: wealthy plantation owners who employed their great-grandmother as a maid. This discovery led to a deep exploration of privilege, labour, and lineage, which are central to the artwork “If We Were Marrier d’Unienville.” Through imagining alternative histories, this work invites us to think about the complex connections between ancestry, power and resilience.

Another highlight is the short film “A Souvenir to Keep,” made from rediscovered family footage of the artist’s first visit to Mauritius in 1993. The film captures the emotional experience of connecting with ancestral land and reflects the shared journeys of many people in diaspora communities, where longing and belonging intertwine.

Who Were They? Who Am I? is more than a question. It invites us to explore how history, family, and storytelling shape identity. By reimagining the stories of the past, Sabrina honours those who came before and asks us to reflect on our own connections to history and heritage.

Upcoming Event: Culture Talks: Sabrina Tirvengadum & Professor Clare Anderson Discuss ‘Who Were They? Who Am I?’

Join artist Sabrina Tirvengadum & Professor Clare Anderson as they discuss the Gallery 2 exhibition ‘Who Were They? Who Am I?’

This event is a collaboration between the Leicester Institute for Advanced Studies (LIAS) and Attenborough Arts Centre. LIAS nurtures and supports interdisciplinary research across the university, spanning a range of themes and approaches that includes creative practice. Sabrina Tirvengadum will join in conversation with Clare Anderson, Director of LIAS, and Esme Cleall, Senior Lecturer in the History of the British Empire at the University of Sheffield.

Clare’s research focuses on histories and legacies of empire. Her interest in the history of Mauritius includes research on enslavement and indentured labour. Since 2023, Clare has been a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the country’s Intercontinental Slavery Museum.

Esme’s work focuses on the representation and lived experience of disability in the British Empire. Her book, Colonising Disability, explores disability in relation to education, philanthropy, activism and immigration policy. Her current project is on the Politics of Breathing in nineteenth and twentieth-century Britain and its empire, thinking about pollution, disability and ideas about ‘good health’.

Tuesday 11 March 2025, 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Free but requires booking
Click here to link to book your place.

Gallery Opening Times:

Weekdays, 12pm – 5pm
Weekends, 12pm – 4pm

Exhibition Accessibility

Our friendly team of volunteers and gallery invigilators can tell you more about the artworks and artists.

Sound and light levels can be adjusted.

Seating is available in all gallery spaces.

Gallery interpretation is produced in large print as standard.

A braille guide for the exhibition is also available from the gallery desk.

Film and video artworks are subtitled, or where this is not possible a transcript will be available.

Ear defenders are available from the gallery desk.

A full guide to accessibility and facilities information across our spaces can be found here.

If you require an adjustment that isn’t mentioned please contact us ahead of your visit and we will try to meet your request within our capacity.