Common Salt

Common Salt is a performance around a table – a ‘show and tell’ by artists Sheila Ghelani and Sue Palmer.

It explores the colonial, geographical and natural history of England and India taking an expansive and emotional time-travel, from the first Enclosure Act and the start of the East India Company in the 1600s, to 21st-century narratives of trade, empire and culture.

In the performance Sue and Sheila activate insights into our shared past, laying out a ‘home museum’ of objects and stories about borders and collections, the Great Hedge of India, a forgotten naturalist – all accompanied by original Shruti box laments.

This book documents and explores the project, placing the performance text, images and reflections from both artists alongside writings from invited guests, including curators, artists and audience members.

Contributors: Alan Read, Deepa Bhasthi, Maddy Costa, Alice Procter, Matilda Pye, Lisa Woynarski, Jane Trowell, Demi Nandhra,  Laura Joyce, Rajni Shah.

Designed by John Hunter (aka RULER) and published by Live Art Development Agency in July 2021