Tapestries Shetland Islands, Scotland 2023
Integrating elements like Shetland wool, flora from walks, animals, and sea urchin fragments into kawandi-style tapestries becomes a poignant medium for personal storytelling, creating a container for my treasures found on the Islands while combining elements I brought with me. Pieces of Harris tweed, a cloth from Mexico, and a lost mitten become connected through the repetitive stitches.
It's essential to recognize that the kawandi-style quilt draws inspiration from the Siddi community of western India and southern Pakistan, descendants of early African immigrants and enslaved Africans. Traditionally crafted for family members, Siddi quilts incorporate personal elements such as a child's shirt or sentimental fabric. The intricate process involves starting at one corner of the sari and working around, securing patches with back stitches to create a rhythmic, continuous forward movement.
However, it's important to note that my tapestries cannot be considered true kawandi, given that I am not a member of the Siddi community. Nevertheless, I deeply appreciate the needlework technique contributed by these women and admire the visual rhythm that evolves continuously through their stitching. My work pays homage to the cultural roots of the kawandi tradition, emphasizing respect for its origins and celebrating the artistry without appropriating its sacred meaning.
It's essential to recognize that the kawandi-style quilt draws inspiration from the Siddi community of western India and southern Pakistan, descendants of early African immigrants and enslaved Africans. Traditionally crafted for family members, Siddi quilts incorporate personal elements such as a child's shirt or sentimental fabric. The intricate process involves starting at one corner of the sari and working around, securing patches with back stitches to create a rhythmic, continuous forward movement.
However, it's important to note that my tapestries cannot be considered true kawandi, given that I am not a member of the Siddi community. Nevertheless, I deeply appreciate the needlework technique contributed by these women and admire the visual rhythm that evolves continuously through their stitching. My work pays homage to the cultural roots of the kawandi tradition, emphasizing respect for its origins and celebrating the artistry without appropriating its sacred meaning.