This exhibition will highlight the rich and often overlooked histories of Bangladeshi diaspora in London through women’s embroidery, bedspreads, collages, and folk-art inspired needlework.
Doors Open 6pm - Bangladeshi snacks and drinks will be available on donation
Embroidery workshop/sari wearing demonstration 6.30pm
Singing folk songs & social from 7.30pm
One of the centrepieces of the exhibition will be the Pearly Sari - a textile work inspired by the Pearly Burqa made by artist Saif Osmani, which reimagined the East End Pearly Kings/Queen traditions through a South Asian Lens.
The sari features individual button embroidery panels combining British working class Pearly King/ Queen heritage with Sylheti embroidery folk design, highlighting both cultural significance and personal creative expression.
Background
The exhibition will feature the history of Nakshi Kantha textile traditions, archival and newly created works by Lotus Group, Bangladeshi British textile artist Joy Nehar and co-curated by Amrit Jangra and A Space for Us People’s Museum.
The Lotus Group - a Sylheti women’s group - are based at A Space for Us People’s Museum Somers Town. The group is a community space to share stories, folk songs, food, Sylheti traditions, and their lived experiences in Camden. The book Lotus Stories, documenting these folk tales, songs, and life stories, will feature in the exhibition.
Join us for Bangladeshi food and drinks, and see the Pearly Sari displayed for the first time before it goes on a tour of Camden cultural centres.
NOTES
Disabled access via a ramp. Disabled toilet is accessible next door.
See www.aspaceforus.club for monthly Night at the Museum events.
A Space for Us – People’s Museum Somers Town is a space to preserve local voice and the area; to celebrate an incredible ‘radical, reformers and rebels‘ histories, to record the change now, as well as to campaign and preserve local working class heritage.
This community museum has been set up by local residents with the aim of playing a part in sustainable development of cities and civic society, and reducing inequality.
Instagram: aspaceforusnow Twitter @HistoryTown Facebook:/aspaceforus
The Museum is at 52 Phoenix Road, NW1 1ES, within the Ossulston Estate, a Grade 2 listed social housing.
The Story Garden is around the corner on Ossulston St, London NW1 1DF where family activiites will begin at 11-1pm
