Annu Palakunnathu Matthew, Art & Art History
September 24, 12pm
Hoffman Room, Swan Hall

On the surface, family photos exemplify vernacular imagery, yet they can unlock lesser-known histories. Professor Palakunnathu Matthew’s visual artwork delves into these narratives, focusing on the largely forgotten history of the 2.5 million Indians who “volunteered” to fight for the British during World War II. Their contributions, which spanned European, African, and Asian theaters, are often unacknowledged in South Asia and globally.

This visual presentation will primarily focus on SHELTERED, where Palakunnathu Matthew will illuminate the inspiring history of Italian families in Abruzzo who risked their lives to shelter escaped Indian Prisoners of War during World War II despite differences in race and language. Projecting the collected family photographs of Italian families and Indian soldiers onto the walls and streets of these towns and homes in Abruzzo animates the site of this lost history, bringing it into the present. Their oral histories bring to life the bravery of these Italians, which underscores the potential for individuals to transcend cultural and national boundaries. This history gives one hope in humanity.

Annu Palakunnathu Matthew’s photo-based work draws on old photographs to re-examine historical narratives in both the US and South Asia. Though trained as a photographer, her work increasingly makes use of the ever-expanding digital toolbox and has moved into installations. The result is a blend of still and moving imagery that shifts the viewer’s perspective to question established and marginalized histories.