Anand Chhabra has been commissioned to create a series of portraits for Our Commonwealth, a project developed by Living Memory and Sandwell Council as part of the Commonwealth Games.
The portraits celebrate individuals and groups who have been nominated by their communities as local champions, recognised for the dedicated and selfless service they give to others. Through this commission, the artist has photographed people whose contribution often goes unseen, yet who make a meaningful difference every day in the lives of those around them.
The resulting series of portraits is quiet, dignified, and reflective, capturing something of the humility and strength of those represented. In meeting and photographing the participants, the artist has encountered some truly remarkable and generous individuals.
The work will be shown at a number of venues across Sandwell, selected by Geoff Broadway of the Living Memory project, as part of celebrations honouring these community heroes during June 2022.
Inset Karl Blick aka ‘Mr Smethwick’ who has done amazing work in schools around issues of bullying and mental health. Karl is an ardent member of a Rugby Club and used to walk past the Brasshouse Pump Rooms in Smethwick every time he played as child in a park nearby. © Anand Chhabra