On Friday, August 11, artist Saiqa Ejaz will create a Namda carpet in our chapel and you are welcome to help in the creation process. Join us from 10:30 to watch, learn and participate.

Namda are hand-felted and embroidered rugs whose handiwork originated in the Kashmir region of Pakistan. Making a Namda involves a felting technique in which wool fibres are beaten and shaken with a wicker punja (comb) and then layered, matted and flattened. A minimum of three layers are made and each layer is spread out separately, sprinkled with soapy water and pressed to make the fibres interlock. After completing the process, the Namda is decorated with embroidered designs.

In the 1980s, this handicraft reached its peak in terms of work and productivity. Today, however, it has become a hidden part of the ancient streets of Pakistan and the people of the region have no idea about their culturally inherited craft. As part of her art practice, Ejaz conducted research on the traditional handicraft with the aim of breathing new life into the Namda and reintroducing its beauty to the world.

This activity is organised in collaboration with Doek vzw. The carpet created during this activity in co-creation with Saiqa Ejaz will be shown in an exhibition this autumn. More information will follow soon.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

↳ Friday 11 August from 10:30 to 16:00
↳ In the chapel of Kunsthal Extra City
↳ Would you like to participate? Send us a message at [email protected]
↳ Free admission via Provinciestraat 112. Check in at our reception.
↳ Language: Dutch & English