‘Southend Colour’ by Zarah Hussain

A visual exploration of feelings about migration, identity and demographic change presented as a mathematical geometric pattern.

Zarah Hussain / Courtesy of the Artist

Over the past 10 years there have been many demographic changes in Southend. Long-standing Asian, Chinese and Black communities have been joined by more recent immigrants from Eastern Europe, while others have relocated from escalating living costs in London. In its own way, therefore, Southend is a microcosm of the changing face of the UK.

Zarah Hussain's new project 'Southend Colour' is a visual exploration of feelings about migration, identity and demographic change. It changes colour according to responses made by the people of Southend in real time through internet enabled devices. The resulting data is collected and presented as a mathematical geometric pattern.

Screen from 'Southend Colour' by Zarah Hussain / Courtesy of the Artist

'Southend Colour' by Zarah Hussain / Courtesy of the Artist

'Southend Colour' will be shown at the Village Green festival in Southend on July 11, 2015 and intermittently on the big screen at Focal Point Art Gallery during summer 2015. With thanks to Valerie Grove, Cris Thompson, Felicity Allwell, Joe Hill and Indi Sandhu.