On Identity, Community and the Body
In conversation with Keerthana Kunnath, Dr. Priya Swamy and Meron Taye
How do identity, community and the body take shape in an image? On the occasion of Not What You Saw, Foam invites guests to a morning event with Keerthana Kunnath, Dr Priya Swamy (curator Globalization and South Asia at the Wereldmuseum) and Meron Taye (Yoga for Black Babes), bringing together art, research and community. This event centres on the experiences of Brown and Black communities.
About the event
The morning begins with an artist tour by Kunnath, who will guide visitors through the exhibition and reflect on the ideas, experiences and visual languages that inform her work.
Dr Priya Swamy then gives a short introductory lecture on identity and embodiment, themes that run throughout Now What You Saw. Drawing on her research, she explores how bodies carry personal and collective histories.
This is followed by a conversation between Kunnath, Swamy and Taye. Together they explore belonging, and how cultural memory shapes the way people see themselves and others. From a diasporic perspective, Taye opens up the conversation to broader reflections on visibility and collective care.
To close, guests sit down for a vegetarian Indian brunch by Wanakam Amsterdam. Visitors are invited to gather around the table and continue the exchange in an informal setting, creating space for new encounters, conversations and connections.
About the speakers
Dr. Priya Swamy is a researcher, curator and writer whose work focuses on identity, representation and the cultural histories of South Asian diasporas. Through research, curatorial projects and collaborations with artists and communities, she explores how personal and collective histories are remembered, represented and passed on across generations.
Meron Taye is the co-founder of Yoga for Black Babes. Yoga for Black Babes is an Amsterdam based community, offering a safe space for Black women and non-binary people. They host classes, events and curate experiences centering wellness and, in particular, yoga. Yoga for Black Babes creates a space to fully exhale, to connect with likeminded people and to be reminded of the importance of rest. Reshaping the concept of wellness in the community.
Wanakam is a South Asian culture café in the heart of Amsterdam Oost. True to it's name, the space is always alive with daily events, conversations, music, and gatherings, all accompanied by hot chai, chai martinis, snacks, and more.
