Manick Govinda - Art Consultant & Writer
Manick Govinda is an Art Consultant and a writer. He has worked in the Arts for 35 years. In that time he has championed and collaborated with artists such as Zarina Bhimji, Zineb Sedira, and composer Nitin Sawney.
We spoke to him about his career in the Arts, moving to Hastings from London and his first impressions of Sussex.
Tell us about yourself?
I was born in Mauritius but came to London in 1965 when I was 3 years old, when our little island was still a British colony. I consider myself a Londoner, grew up in Balham, bought my first home in Streatham when we could afford a one-bed flat at 25 years old on a 100% mortgage. I’ve worked in the arts/cultural sector for 35 years - artists development, programming, curating, commissioning and art journalism. Back in the late 80’s to mid-90’s I was part of what was seen to be the growth of the British Asian arts scene - it felt like a BritArt movement for South Asians in the UK.
I have always been interested in art, performance and literature and I was fortunate to be able to advocate, support or work with so many amazing artists at the early stages of their career who have kind of ‘made it’ - visual artists such as Zarina Bhimji, Zineb Sedira, composer Nitin Sawney. I was also part of the second wave of the anti-racist movement in the 1980/90s (very different in character to current discourses on race and identity).
I am one of the tiny minority in the arts who voted to leave the EU in the 2016 referendum, and I co-founded Artists for Brexit which morphed into Brexit Creatives. My position on the EU is a Bennite one, it’s such a pity that the contemporary left ignored his astute intelligent thoughts.
What brought you to Hastings?
I have always been drawn to the sea, that must be the Mauritian DNA in me as an islander, but didn’t want to be too far away from London. I checked out Hove, but that was way beyond what I could afford and it also felt a little bit too much like Islington or Chiswick by the sea. I visited Hastings in 2015 and also last year when we had that wonderful window of liberation in our Covid-19 times. I also visited as a kid - school trip, and with the family on a seaside outing. It drew me in, as it felt, like London a little rough - drinkers, homelessness, drugs - but also I felt a sense of English nostalgia - the vintage and retro shops, the traditional seafront entertainment and leisure - but also a growing arts community and arts scene in the town and neighbouring St. Leonards. I don’t feel as if I live in a metropolitan/cosmpolitan bubble - there’s a nice mix of people here, it’s friendly and I felt welcomed.
Made any great discoveries?
I am so fortunate to have Hughenden Fish Bar only a minutes walk from where I live. It’s an excellent fish’n’chip takeaway. Crispy battered cod, fluffy crispy chips. I’ve been there 3 times so far. https://www.instagram.com/hughendenfishbar/
Only Coco in the Old Town. OMG when I discovered this shop I melted inside. The range of chocolate bars they sell as well as the coco are heavenly. I’ve already gone through one reward card and am halfway through my second one. It’s a heavenly shop and I buy bars of chocolate both for myself and as gifts to friends and family. The 64% dark chocolate cherry bar is a favourite, packed with juiciness coated in a sumptuous silky but firm dark chocolate. https://www.instagram.com/onlycocochocolates/
Liban Coast in Marine Court, St Leonards is again so friendly, welcoming serving terrific falafel and halloumi wraps for takeouts and mouthwatering baklavas. I can’t wait to actually eat inside there. https://www.instagram.com/liban.coast/
Bookshops, vintage and vinyl shops. I am so spoilt for choice as a book and vinyl junkie as Hastings & St. Leonards have an array of gorgeous attractive shops to rummage through. My great discoveries so far are Printed Matter Bookshop https://www.instagram.com/printedmatterhastings/ not far from where I live and its basement record shop Pressing Matters https://www.instagram.com/pressingmattersrecordshop/ - picked up one of my favourite Herbie Hancock records from his late 70s funk phase for £10. Over in St. Leonard’s Norman Road there is a vintage and music shop, which I think is called Ramshackle, it’s run by a great guy originally from the USA called Mike Willis. His got an exceptional collection of Blues and Jazz records. https://www.instagram.com/ramshackle.records/
I’ve found my local bolthole and I love it! The Imperial which is run by the Brewing Brothers who brew their own beer! It’s full bodied and potent and their pizzas are tasty. 4 pints of Gallaghers had me spinning! https://www.instagram.com/brewing.brothers/
The Jenny Lind also has a great range of outdoor seating serving lovely Korean fusion food and a no-nonsense pint of Sussex best https://www.instagram.com/jennylindinn/
I loved my first exhibition visit since November 2020 at the Lucy Bell Gallery in St. Leonard’s. Its exhibition of photographer Homer Sykes’ work of esoteric British folklore, customs and traditions from the early 1970s felt so apt for the area, opening on what would have been a riotous and pagan like Jack in the Green festival. I can’t wait to paint myself green next year.
What I’ve found lovely here with the shops and bars are the friendliness and warmth I get from the staff. It’s just not like that in a big capital like London. Everywhere is also walking distance. I cannot wait for indoor dining, drinking and live performances.
Hastings and St. Leonard's are far more than I expected - it somehow reminds me of parts of Lower East Village in Manhattan when I first visited there in 1997 - grunge cool, laid back, great food, coffee shops and bars with an edge to it. I’ve met both newcomers, people who moved to the area about 15 years ago and born and bred folks. As I said, I love the mix - it doesn’t feel politically homogeneous like London.
Where are you looking forward in visiting in Sussex?
Anywhere with live music, good friendly clientele and great beer!