The Whitworth presents a new 2-screen film by London-based artist Imran Perretta. Drawing on the artist’s own experience as a young man of Bangladeshi heritage, the film explores personal and collective experiences of marginalisation and oppression. Shot on location in Tower Hamlets, East London, it reconsiders the figure of alienated male youth, exploring the complexities of ‘coming of age’ for young Muslim men living in the UK.
The film is produced by Chisenhale Gallery, London and Spike Island, Bristol, and commissioned by Chisenhale Gallery; Spike Island; the Whitworth, The University of Manchester; and BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead and supported by Outset Contemporary Art Fund. It premieres at Spike Island on 27 September and continues until 8 December 2019, continuing onto partner venues throughout 2020.
Working across moving-image, sound, performance and poetry, Perretta’s work explores ideas of biopower, marginality and the (de)construction of cultural histories. Recent exhibitions include 15 Days, Jerwood Space, London (2018); Mene Mene Tekel Parsin, Wysing Arts Centre, Cambridge (2017); it wasn’t a crash, in the usual sense, Arcadia Missa, London (2016); 5 percent, Copenhagen Art Week, Denmark; and Devotions, MOT International Project Space, London (both 2015). Perretta has been shortlisted for the Jarman Award 2019.
View the online trailer for Imran Perretta’s new film commission and exhibition, 'the destructors', produced by Spike Island, Bristol and Chisenhale Gallery, London, premiering at Spike Island, September 2019:
https://www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/upcomingexhibitions/imranperretta/
8 May 2020 – October 2020
- ImranPerretta
Image: Imran Perretta, the destructors (2019)
Production still. Courtesy the artist. Photograph by Lenka Rayn H.