Edinburgh photographer launches kickstarter for 'This Separated Aisle' book inspired by Brexit and IndyRef2

Paul Sng said he wanted to show how divisions in society are created through “ignorance and fear” and explore how diversity enriches British culture

This Separated Isle is a forthcoming narrative photography book edited by Edinburgh-based documentary filmmaker Paul Sng

An Edinburgh-based filmmaker is to release a book chronicling the diversity of the United Kingdom and Scotland, inspired by the divisions created by Brexit and IndyRef2.

Paul Sng has launched a kickstarter for the book, titled This Separated Isle, which will look at questions around the relationship between identity and nationhood and explore what divides people and what brings people together as a nation.

The book will examine concepts of national identity through a diverse range of opinions and understandings around the definition of the word ‘Britishness’.

One of the photos to be included in the book, this one, by Rhys Baker

The narrative photography book will combine direct testimony with images shot by award-winning and emerging talent photographers to provide a “timely snapshot of modern Britain”.

Mr Sng said the book was inspired by his own experiences growing up in Britain as a bi-racial person, but also by the recent Brexit and ongoing IndyRef2 campaigns.

He told the Evening News: “Growing up bi-racial and working class during the 1980s in Britain was challenging. I struggled to embrace my ethnicity in the working class community I grew up in.

“I didn’t fit in with the white kids at school, and the other groups of non-white kids seemed to bond together over a shared heritage that excluded mixed race kids like me. I didn’t even meet my Singaporean family until I was 17.

One of the photos to be included in the book, this one, by Sally Low

“My understanding of what it meant to be ‘British’ was limited to patriotic clichés and caricatures. I experienced racism well into my teenage years, right up until the point in the mid-90s when multiculturalism seemed to be embraced and championed by the media.”

He added: “Today I feel like our society has gone backwards. Race hate crimes are increasing and the prominence of right wing figures like Tommy Robinson and Katie Hopkins troubles me.

“Brexit and the IndyRef2 campaign have exposed cracks in our communities, while social media amplifies the vitriol directed at people of different race and religions.

“I want this book to show how such divisions are often created through ignorance and fear, and explore British culture is enriched by the diversity of ethnicity and nationality in our communities.”

One of the photos to be included in the book, this one, by Margaret Mitchell

The book will include a foreword from award-winning author Kit De Waal, and money raised by the kickstarter will cover the book’s initial development costs and to cover photographer’s fees.

Copies of the book or limited edition prints are options for those who choose to fund the project, which can be found here.