Exhibition Views - Weaving a New Life: The Refugee Artists Sewing Circle
SubjectPortrait of
Yvonne Ntakiratimana
(Burundian)
Date2009
Mediumborn digital photography
ClassificationsGraphics
Credit LineConnecticut Cultural Heritage Arts Program collections
CopyrightIn Copyright
Object number2015.196.442.1-.14
Description2015.196.442.1: Image of a display of Burmese Karen shirts and belt made by Pwe Say Paw and Nu Wah and Somali twined bags made by Fatuma Ahmed.
2015.196.442.2: Image of a Bosnian wool rug (cilim) woven by Fatima Vejzovic on a traditional loom made by her husband.
2015.196.442.3: Image of a Hmong wall hanging with "story cloth" inserts sewn and embroidered by May Xiong.
2015.196.442.4: Image of a Bosnian wool rug (cilim) woven by Fatima Vejzovic on a traditional loom made by her husband.
2015.196.442.5: Image of a Hmong wall hanging sewn with reverse applique technique and embroidered by May Xiong.
2015.196.442.6-.12: Images of various pieces of traditional clothing worn at the New Year Celebration sewn and embroidered by May Xiong. The outfit consists of a blouse, skirt, front apron, and a back apron/belt. The skirt depicted in (.12) is the old style traditional pleated skirt
2015.196.442.13: Image of Burundian textile artist Yvonne Ntakiratimana carrying her baby in a traditional cloth baby carrier.
2015.196.442.14: Image of Burundian textile artist Yvonne Ntakiratimana with decorative crochet and embroidered cloths she made.
NotesSubject Note: CCHAP collaborated with The Clare Gallery to present "Weaving a New Life: The Refugee Artists Sewing Circle," a multi-media exhibition from January 22 to February 22, 2009, featuring textile arts created by recent refugees and more longstanding immigrants to the Greater Hartford area. A reception was held on February 17, with participating artists demonstrating their weaving and needlework techniques. The Sewing Circle Project began in 2007 as an exciting initiative to encourage production and marketing of traditional crafts among the many immigrant communities in the Greater Hartford area and across the state, initiated by the Institute for Community Research’s (ICR) Connecticut Cultural Heritage Arts Program based in Hartford. Lynne Williamson, Director of CCHAP at ICR, introduced the artists and described the history of the project, the diverse artwork and traditions of the artists, and the project’s importance to the Hartford community. 2015.196.442.2: Image of a Bosnian wool rug (cilim) woven by Fatima Vejzovic on a traditional loom made by her husband.
2015.196.442.3: Image of a Hmong wall hanging with "story cloth" inserts sewn and embroidered by May Xiong.
2015.196.442.4: Image of a Bosnian wool rug (cilim) woven by Fatima Vejzovic on a traditional loom made by her husband.
2015.196.442.5: Image of a Hmong wall hanging sewn with reverse applique technique and embroidered by May Xiong.
2015.196.442.6-.12: Images of various pieces of traditional clothing worn at the New Year Celebration sewn and embroidered by May Xiong. The outfit consists of a blouse, skirt, front apron, and a back apron/belt. The skirt depicted in (.12) is the old style traditional pleated skirt
2015.196.442.13: Image of Burundian textile artist Yvonne Ntakiratimana carrying her baby in a traditional cloth baby carrier.
2015.196.442.14: Image of Burundian textile artist Yvonne Ntakiratimana with decorative crochet and embroidered cloths she made.
"Weaving a New Life: The Refugee Artists Sewing Circle" highlights a collection of global crafts made by artists including Fatuma Ahmed, a Somali basket weaver; Fatima Vejzovic, a Bosnian rug weaver; Melka and Mevlija, Bosnian crochet and knit workers; Florence Betgeorge, an Assyrian lace maker; May Xiong and May Lee, Hmong embroiderers; Elena Cupceancu, a Romanian needleworker; Kannah Zealey, a Liberian tailor; Yvonne Ntakiratimana, a Burundi crochet and embroidery expert; Somali weaver Fatuma Ahmed; Burmese Karen weavers Pwe Say Paw and Nu Wah, and several other textile artists. Though most of the artists have experienced war, trauma, and dislocation, they continue to practice their cultural heritage and traditions, blending these with current experiences to create artwork that is both beautiful and functional. Many immigrants and refugees have come to live in the Hartford area. CCHAP, working with local refugee groups and service providers, identified the need for an initiative that would develop and market the remarkable skills of these newcomers. The Sewing Circle Project members met regularly to work on their art forms and share coffee and conversation. This supportive environment provided social interaction among the artists, recognition of their cultural heritage and artistic traditions, stimulated literacy improvement, and helped to locate marketplaces for their artwork. Sewing Circle participants have sold their work in Hartford at the Hartford Library World Refugee Day; Open Studio Weekends; the International ICR Conference; and as regular vendors at the Billings Forge Farmers Market on summer Thursdays. The project also offered small business training to the artists, through grants from the Aurora Foundation, the Aetna Foundation, and the Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund.
The Clare Gallery primarily features exhibitions that emphasize world religions or interfaith themes, as well as social justice themes, on either a global or local level. The Gallery is housed in the Franciscan Center for Urban Ministry at 285 Church Street in Hartford, Connecticut. The Center is part of St. Patrick – St. Anthony Church, a vibrant and active downtown faith community.
Additional materials exist in the CCHAP archive for these artists and communities.
Cataloging Note: This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services MA-245929-OMS-20.
Status
Not on view
Fatima Vejzovic
2009 January-February
Fatima Vejzovic
2011 November 16
Haris Gusta Guya
2011 November 4
