Photographs and archives

Photographs of myself dressed in a naval officer uniform, gallivanting around London

October - November 2019, West London, UK

The naval uniform loosely references to Prince Phillip and his maritime adventures as well as disappointing ex-boyfriends, male figures of authority in my family and the ridiculousness of toxic masculinity across film, literature and art. In these photographs I travel around central London, exploring its endless possibilities for consumerism and entertainment. The tourist economy continues to boom in London despite political climate and increasing financial disparity. Whether it's a wild night of food and drink or an insight into history and institutions of power, London can provide it all. These images represent a man lost in time, isolated and deluded somewhat like the stories we print and engrave to sell cities and monuments.

These photographs were shown at the 4S Show (Sex, Suicide, Socialism, Spirit and Stereotypes) at Kronika, Bytom, Poland

Photographs taken by Pippa Brabyn www.pippabrabyn.com

Indiana Jones at the British Museum and James Bond against the MI5 Thames House

March - April 2019

Indiana Jones and James Bond are protagonists characterised as protectors and saviours. These are men who are undoubtedly skilled, but save mankind in every book and film, While they seem to hold the world's weight on their shoulders, their thrist for adventure cannot be quenched. In these experimental photos I wear shoes that are much too big for me and stumble across sipping a Vesper Martini and stumbling across ancient Egyptian relics.

Setjee Rustomji at St James Park eating English pastries.

April - May 2019, St. James Park, London, UK

Setjee Rustomji is a fictional character with accents of the colonised and the coloniser,

Photographs taken by Yu Yaoyao www.yuyaoyao.com

Mules Mansion

Mules Mansion is a multi-purpose building, with the façade modeled on the Buckingham Palace. It housed DAWN Newspapers in the 1940s, provided office spaces and storage for the Cowasjee family and was occupied by the British military during WWII.

Mr. Cowasjee has put almost the entire building on rent and it is occupied by about 27 families from different religious sects and economic backgrounds.

The building is currently tethering on extremely damaged iron rods placed in the basement.

Variawa House, Bath Island

This home is almost a 100 years old and belongs to another Cowasjee family – currently Mr. Jamshed (Jimmy) Minocher Cowasjee who studied aeronautical engineering and is a very skilled mechanic.

This is possibly why the infrastructure is still well maintained as he is always repairing the home himself.

Jimmy Cowasjee and his wife did not have any children; he is the last inhabitant of Variawa house. Unfortunately the house is not listed under the Sindh Heritage Act which leaves its future uncertain.

Dinshaw Home

Mrs. Perin Dinshaw, the last inhabitant of the house and ‘the last Dinshaw of Karachi’ died in her late 90s in 2017.

Although the property is registered under the Sindh Heritage Act, the furniture, artifacts and items of value are slowly being shipped off by the inheritor of the home.

Photographs and trophies found in the house can attest to Mrs Dinshaw’s athleticism and sportsmanship in her youth.

The family kept a mini dairy farm on their large property which enabled the family to provide milk, eggs and poultry items to the poor especially on auspicious occasions.

Spencer Bangalow, 269 R.A. Lines

Neighbouring with the Karachi Press Club, this home has been witness to countless strikes and protests which take place outside its’ gate on one of the busiest streets in the city.

The property initially belonged to the Dinshaw family and was given in kind to one of the Dinshaw daughters and inherited by the Spencer family through marriage.

The upper story is completely furnished and well maintained as the Spencers’ frequent the home annually. The lower story however is not utilised and is falling captive to decay quickly.