Sabrina Tirvengadum

I am a deaf British Mauritian visual artist based in East London. With over a decade of experience in graphic design, I see my art as a powerful tool for promoting social change and sparking meaningful dialogue. My commitment to inclusivity goes beyond my artwork, and includes We're All Human, an organisation I co-founded to champion disability justice and online accessibility.

My work is a deeply personal exploration of self-discovery, rooted in my British Mauritian heritage. It all began with ancestral research into the Indian indenture system, which unexpectedly revealed a connection to a French aristocratic surname in my family's history. This discovery led me to question the implications of hidden family narratives that have been carried through generations, and particularly how they have affected women in patriarchal societies.

My latest body of work continues this investigative journey, striving to unveil the untold through visual storytelling. It underscores the remarkable ability of photography to capture the unseen and unsaid. Through working with archival images and footage, AI and digital painting, I take ownership of my narrative. These creative processes give birth to dramatic new worlds that blend reality and imagination, reconstructing the fragmented figures within the frame and, by extension, my own past, present, and future.

This creative journey of discovery and reflection has allowed me to delve into the complexities of my family's indentured history and embrace the intricate layers of identity and heritage that have shaped me.

I breathe life into my ancestors' stories and pay homage to their existence. Through my work, I hope to empower future generations to share and embrace their rich heritage.