The Default is White

About The Exhibition

Sheila Chakravarti’s work, “The Default is White”, is an exhibition of photographic portraits and written word in which Chakravarti illuminates the lived experience of immigrants of colour who come to make Northern Ireland their home. Through creating the work, she uncovered her experience of racism was not isolated, but rather it is suffered by many universally.

Revealed in her work is the trauma of experiencing racial abuse which often triggers emotions of shame, hurt, anger and loneliness. Chakravarti understands the discussion on the topic and sharing of lived experience, can be difficult as it causes these emotions to rise to the surface and relive the awful racist incidents. All participants within ‘The Default is White’, have made a direct and useful contribution to Northern Ireland, but now attempt to forefront the difficulties of being an outsider and coming to terms with the nuances of another culture made more challenging by daily racism in various forms. Chakravarti hopes that the project will help people acknowledge the insidious problem that affects our society and the harm it causes.

Using direct quotes and social media posts, Chakravarti hopes the images will resonate with those who have lived here all their lives and make some sort of contact that allows for humanity and understanding.