Culture & Identity

A Shared Identity of Difference installation and discussion was research for my MA which investigated complex lived experiences of negotiating a multicultural identity. The explorations objective was to iterate visual art which promotes dialogue and an understanding of the other. To this end I developed a methodology that uses visually represented narratives, which in turn promoted reciprocal dialogue and a comprehensive picture of identity emerged.  Woven, the suspended Sari, was constructed from over 130 participants’ own written identity stories and was feedback in response to ‘Polyvocality’ which is a collection of recorded discussions centred on ‘why do you wear what you wear?’ The piece was further iterated through the reflective feedback of creative practitioners as movement (with thanks to Rebecca Dee), painting (with thanks to Wendy Rolt) and spoken word (with thanks to Joy Carter), whose work was filmed and projected on to the wall. A final inclusive and energetic discussion gave people from a broad cross section of the community the opportunity to reflect and feedback on the installations’ content. 

Medium: ceramics, wrought iron and wire. Dimensions: approx. 80 x 160cm

Wholeness illustrates my journey of moving from brokenness into wholeness. I experienced brokenness as a place of aggressive hopelessness and complete aloneness.  But through the framework of relationship with Christ, a new wholeness continues to be established: my brokenness surrendered becoming like a workshop in which to learn how the parts of me fit together to make a new whole. Brokenness no longer a black hole to swallow me, but a springboard to launch me.

Co-designer, Co-Curator and Installation Supervisor.

The fashion installation marked a visual interface between traditional and contemporary Bangladesh, and viewers were invited to weave their own journey through the installation. The 13 loom-inspired design engaged with the wealth of Oitij-jo Bangladesh, into which original Jamdani Sarees were woven together with contemporary garments advocating a creatively vibrant future. This weaving of generational narratives became the stage for the choreographed fashion exhibits that were set against exuberant hand-painted backdrops of Bangladeshi film.  

Exhibitions: Bargehouse, Oxo Wharf, London.

   Intergalactic Desh was a collaborative work arising from a series of conversations between myself, Saif Osmani and Noémi Zajzon. As a participatory exhibition it examined the transformative impacts of historical and geo-political events on the Bangladeshi diaspora through simple cultural artefacts. Visitors were asked to imagine, in the face of apocalyptic disaster ‘which items would you keep and why?’  ‘What defines ‘Bangladeshiness’ to you?’ A series of workshops were held to explore these questions.  The images here are some of my work included in the exhibition.

Betrothed: 

Medium: Photographs and various textiles. Dimensions: 40 x 40 cm

Using the symbolism of traditional wedding jewellery embroidered onto a woven self-made Bangladeshi flag and Union Jack, Betrothed explores the complex and negotiated journey of relationship between these two diverse cultures.

Arabization?: 

Medium: newspaper and braid. Dimensions (of triptych): 20 x 40 cm

Woven Bengali, English and Egyptian newspapers explore the evolution of many British Bangladeshi women’s clothing, and whether this demonstrates on a larger scale, a diaspora identity increasingly affiliated with the global Ummah rather than traditional culture. One participant commented ‘now I am influenced by Islam, because of that I have to dress as a Muslim woman ... I still like culture but cannot express it the way I could ... I chose faith rather than culture.’

Objectify:

Medium: textiles and felt-tip pen. Dimensions: 100 x 600 cm

Objectify is a work in progress. The Sari is a stylized hand-drawn map that links London with Dhaka and Sylhet. Participants object stories will be woven into and become part of the map. The piece aims to give form to stories allowing viewers to engage with the participants’ journey.