Memories folded into cloth: South Asian Heritage Textile stories unfolded through cherished Shawls.

Stored in cupboards across British South Asian homes lie treasures that tell stories spanning generations - precious shawls that have witnessed celebrations, marked milestones, and carried the whispers of our ancestors. As a British South Asian female artist with 35 years of experience in Fashion, Costume, and Interiors, I've always been drawn to these "textiles of significance" that hold our heritage in their delicate threads.

Every shawl has a story. Some were wedding gifts, others marked the birth of a child, and many travelled across oceans with families starting new lives. These aren't mere pieces of fabric; they're vessels of memory, carefully preserved by their guardians, making occasional appearances at special moments before being tucked away again with reverence. I'm interested in how they unlock the connection to identity and almost forgotten memories.

My journey began with the realisation that these stories are slowly fading into the folds of time. Through my extensive travels worldwide and work with textiles over the years, I've developed a deep appreciation for the cultural traditions and craftsmanship that create these enduring pieces. Now, I'm embarking on an ambitious project to preserve and strengthen the connection to the textiles we keep for future generations.

The Vision

I'm researching my project and aiming to develop a body of work exploring heritage stories primarily through shawls kept by British South Asian women. Leading to the unfolding of traditional clothing or other significant heritage textiles, I aim to explore their relevance and connection to cultural identity. At the intersection of generations, I am looking at preserving the origin stories of the personal heirlooms, whilst exploring cultural value and relevance for younger generations. Through possibly reshaping lesser significant shawls that exist within the families, my aim long term aim is to bring shawls back into circulation and visibility through a new appreciation.

I would love to share with the community the development of my project and create an art piece from my findings.

Your funding will help me:

-Research and document textile-related stories across the South Asian community.

-Support ongoing work on my project, expanding my research within the community.

-Construct a digital space to share my project developments.

-Pay for a mentor to support and guide me.

-Pay for materials and equipment needed to research my project.

-Pay for a website, marketing and related costs to make my project accessible.

This isn't just about the preservation of significant textiles within British South Asian homes; it's about identity, visibility and legacy. I aim to work with beloved shawls as a gateway to rekindle memories of the origin stories folded within personal treasures that may be forgotten. Alongside this, draw on the possibility of reimagining stored cultural textiles of less historical significance, greater presence and personal value. This approach aims to honour our south asian heritage while making it relevant to contemporary life in Britain today.

Why It Matters

As the first generation of immigrant south asians is ageing, remembering the origin stories of their cherished textiles deserves to be honoured and respected with integrity as key historical reference pieces.

Modern fast fashion brings into question our connection to meaningful textiles. This project questions what is worn as a settled community, whilst looking at the model of circular economy for heritage textiles that may no longer be worn and are of little personal value. By rekindling connection and appreciation, we're preserving the cultural heritage of the textiles in our guardianship and embracing them for future generations.

The Impact

Together, we can preserve precious cultural narratives.

Create sustainable, meaningful artworks that reflect our cultural identity.

Bridge generational gaps through appreciation of relatable textile heritage.

Protect the legacy of the textiles that are significant to us.

Every contribution helps weave this vision into reality.

Join me in creating a future where our textile heritage isn't just preserved, but lived, worn, and celebrated every day.