Dance Theatre Journal Editor/Performance Writer And Lecturer: De Montfort University
“Whether exploring her identity in relation to her parents, or investigating the transmission of narrative via multimedia dialogues, Priya Mistry's work combines a practical sophistication with a reflexive awareness of the performativity of discourse. In two recent pieces, ‘In the same frame’ and ’Documentary’, the audience are addressed informally in conversation in relation to the polaroids or video footage which form the art work in her relation of the production of these images Mistry is also however asking how we as an audience constitute her as the artist and what our expectations of her performance of ‘femininity’ or ‘ethnicity’ might be. The clarity that characterises this work is underscored with complex questions concerning self-image and the projection of desires onto others. While her work is intimate, and often personal or autobiographical, it also acts as an intelligent and original interrogation into the heart of the identificatory exchanges which occur when we engage with others.”
"Priya has worked with Blast Theory twice on placement whilst still a student once installing TRUCOLD and Other Works at the Museum of Installation in Deptford, London 2002 and recently on Uncle Roy All Around You at the ICA, London 2003. It was great to work with her, she learns fast, is very professional and gets on well with people.
She is mature, focused and hard working with a huge appetite and enthusiasm for making work. Priya understands a great deal about the practicalities of making and displaying work and the importance of presenting herself and her work well. Opportunities for her to harness her ideas and to concentrate on what lies behind or underneath her work and to take this out in front of the public are important in her development right now.
Unresolved is intimidating to step into. From waiting outside; hearing the jarring beats through the wall and trying to read the expression of the previous visitor as they leave, to being left lying on a mattress to speak with an anonymous messenger in a room with pounding noise and projections. It sparks an intimate but unpredictable dialogue with the messenger - at turns playful and fantastic, at others bleakly comic and honest. It has a sense that in a short time between you and the messenger you could end up going
anywhere.
“I first saw Priya’s work at the Showroom event at Dance 4 earlier this year. Her piece using the Polaroid’s of her father and her boyfriend (In The Same Frame) made a very powerful and moving statement. I think the idea and approach was very personal and genuinely thought provoking.”
“Priya Mistry’s work takes issues of identity and cultural acceptance (or the lack of) and presents them to intimate audiences in a manner which demands response. Her interactive installations are both challenging and entertaining and offer an intriguing insight into the artists life and experiences.”
“Priya is an up and coming performance and visual artist, with an amazing enthusiasm and creativity. I am confident everyone will become aware of her work, and the interpersonal relationship she creates with everyone she meets.
Random Acts was an inspiring piece, fantastically put together, with a dialogue in it that in-captures all who view it. I wait with baited breath for the next project.”
I have programmed and supported Priya on a number of occasions during the context of Show room - a bi-monthly platform for new and emerging artists in the region. During this time Priya has presented a number of pieces, either in development or finished which have always been well received by the audiences and offered much for discussion. I always enjoy seeing her work and watching the reactions of audiences who encounter her performances.
Priya is an interesting artist who is exploring issues and experimenting with performance styles and digital media in a way which is refreshing to see, and always humanistic and sensitive in its delivery. The work I have experienced has been related to her own experiences and cultural background, where she creates stories which are fascinating and display real depth and integrity. From those stories spring the creative content and context for her work. They are full of tenderness, and aggression - through her stories and real life experiences she explores themes that are universal and explore our world and our daily life and tensions. Priya creates works that show individuals trying to make sense of their feelings, perceptions and experience. The originality of the work and performative story telling and staging offer a refreshing experience and intimate space for an audience to make a connection.
I think she is beginning to forge a distinctive style and mark for herself by successfully exploring a variety of performance practices and testing possibilities for herself as an artist and by engaging with audiences in non-conventional ways.
She has a unique, delicate, and constantly developing performative quality which I believe should be encouraged and her work deserves to be seen in a National platform. Please don’t hesitate to call me should or require further information. .
Email: mistry[at]whatsthebigmistry.com
Phone: 07855663443
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Bonnington Gallery, Notingham