“Photography is a license to be nosy”: Nina Manandhar discusses her community-based projects Gurkha Sons and Thamesmead

At October’s Nicer Tuesdays we were graced with a talk by a photographer that needs no introduction. The London-based Nina Manandhar is known up and down the industry for her combination of documentary and portraiture projects. She talked us through two beautifully evocative projects on the last Tuesday of October, sharing insights into Gurkha Sons and Thamesmead exploring two respective communities in the British capital. In her talk, Nina explained how her mixed heritage has influenced her creativity, allowing her to “slip into worlds that [she] doesn’t usually belong in”; an essential quality for a photographer. Shedding light on how she uses photography as a tool for investigation, the ensuing talk delved into how she encapsulates the essence of identity through powerful portraiture.

Gurkha Sons documents young Gurkha men that Nina met at a community centre. Interested in their unique expressions of identity which hint to both Britishness and being Nepalese, the community-centred series touches on issues of multiculturalism and belonging. In another series exploring similar issues, Nina showed us insights into her series Thamesmead, an area in south west London known for its criss-crossing canals and brutalist architecture. Telling us about the myriad of characters she met along the way, Nina’s charming and inspiring talk championed the great diversity of London, in turn, showcasing the city at its best.