Asian Women & Cars: The Road to Independence

This project is a new, multimedia exhibition that celebrates the lives and experiences of first generation South Asian migrant women living in Sandwell and the Black Country. Using oral histories, film, photographs and sound, Dawinder Bansal explores the relationships between the women, driving and their cars. The installation highlights the positive impact of these stories on future generations of British Asian women who now benefit from the sacrifices of the first generation who battled against patriarchy and traditional family structures to gain independence.

“I came up with the idea about 18 months ago while speaking to my aunty and mother about their contrasting stories about driving. My aunt learned to drive, worked a few jobs to support the family income. She also raised her two young children, largely on her own. While my mother always wanted to drive but was stopped from doing so by my father. This was quite a common story for women of her generation. This is exactly why she pushed me to get an education and drive. To have life opportunities and skills which she did not.

I met 15 South Asian older women. The youngest is aged 65 and the oldest is 83 years old. They had such incredible stories of times gone, sharing their memories of what it was like for them growing up as first generation Asian women in England.

They told me so many wonderful stories. It was common for Asian men to feel threatened by women's ambition and drive for independence. Some Asian men wanted their wives, sisters and daughters to be homemakers and know their place. While everyone's journey is different in this world, all the women I spoke with demonstrated strength and courage to follow your dreams.”

- Dawinder Bansal

Special thanks to all of the women who shared their stories for the creation of this new exhibition.

Exhibition location: The British Muslim School, Latifiah Fultali Complex, Lodge Road, West Bromwich, B70 8NX

Read more here.