Kojo Baiden
Nationality / Culture: AfricaProject Summary
A Tapestry of Culture: Unravelling the Threads of African Fabric.
Heritage Focus
To explore and document the history, artistry and cultural significance of African fabrics; each pattern, colour and technique carrying meaning, rituals, ceremonies and daily life. African textiles serve as: repositories of cultural heritage summarising stories and traditions of various African communities.
Historical documents chronicle societal changes, migrations and interactions over centuries. For instance, fragments reveal ancient weaving techniques and materials used by African societies. History of fabrics intertwined with colonialism and exploitation, e.g. African Dutch wax prints have origins in Indonesian batik. Artistic expressions with bold designs, intricate patterns and bright colours.
Credit: Photographer Robson Denian Mateus
Credit: Photographer Robson Denian Mateus
Project Description
This project will gather oral histories from community elders, storytellers, artisans, traders, and wearers to capture memories and personal narratives about African fabrics. It will also deliver creative workshops aimed at deepening public understanding of African textile heritage, alongside photography workshops to support exhibition preparation. A digital archive will be created, featuring high-resolution images, historical texts, and audio-visual materials, with the intention of donating or sharing these resources with Brent Museum’s archives. The project will culminate in a curated exhibition celebrating the diversity, patterns, and evolution of African fabrics, accompanied by printed and online educational materials. A community celebration event will showcase the project.
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