Common Threads

Common Threads

2019-ongoing

A series of collaboratively embroidered textile panels

Biennial Theme: New Narratives and Nourish

These panels were embroidered by four groups of women situated in Burnley, Leeds, Pendle and Karachi, Pakistan introduced by textile artist Alice Kettle, who has a long-standing relationship with the Rana Liaquat Craftsmen Colony (RLCC) in Karachi where local women produce beautiful up-cycled products.

Alice began a project online with the women at RLCC during the pandemic when they met regularly to embroider together, creating images of home, belonging, and the connection between people and the land they inhabit. Alice approached the British Textile Biennial to introduce online women in East Lancashire from the South Asian diaspora to those in Karachi in order for them to create something together that transcends borders and cultures.

Participants from Community Arts by ZK in Pendle, the Bangladesh Welfare Association in Burnley and now Shantona Womens Centre Leeds shared stories of home with their new friends in Karachi and, working with textile artists Rabia Begum Sharif and Elnaz Yazdani, stitched them into these beautiful images. The resulting panels paint a picture of shared experiences of family and the meaning of home, wherever that may be.

Courtesy of all participants.

Common Threads is an evolving commission working with partner organisations and communities to share stories through stitching.

In partnership with RLCC Karachi, Community Arts by ZK Brierfield, The Sheba Project part of BWA and Shantona Womens Centre, Leeds.

The project is a co-commission with the British Textile Biennial.

With thanks to Rabia Begum Sharif, Elnaz Yazdani and all the contributors

Burnley group

Tamanna Akter, Sumaya Banu, Albia Begum, Shahedun Hoque, Azmat Ilyas, Aysha Khanom, Rumana Akthar Nipa, Shilpi Rashid, Dilara Sultana

Leeds group

Azmat Ara, Rahima Begum, Shelina Begum, Sultana Chowdhury, Shabnam Dabhad, Helen Gujaran, Amrita Seegoolam, Rabia Begum Sharif, Ayesha Siddiqa, Elnaz Yazdani

Nelson group

Thalaya Darr, Emily Forbes, Ume-Habiba, Chloe Hargreaves, Sadika Iqbal, Nasim Jalani, Nazish Rabani

Karachi group (RLCC)

Sobia Asim, Rehana Adeel, Samina Aqeel, Shamim Ara, Qudsia Bano, Sobia Bibi, Erum Khan, Siddiqa Parveen, Azra Qasim, Azra Shakeel