Threads of Identity with Ranbir Kaur
Pfaff Sewing Machine Masterclass
Artist Ranbir Kaur with VSM educator and participant
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Threads of Identity with Ranbir Kaur
Project Summary
A Craftspace and VSM partnership project
Craftspace & VSM partnership is commended in the Sustained Partnership category
The Craftspace partnership with VSM was shortlisted for two awards at this year's Jaguar Land Rover Awards for Arts & Business.The nominationswere for extending the partnership through the latest joint project, Threads of Identity with Ranbir Kaur. The awards are in association with the Birmingham Post celebrate partnerships between Midlands' businesses and cultural organisations.
The project run in partnership with VSM UKwas commended in the category forAdvantage West Midlands A&B Sustained Partnership Award (we were up against the very stiff competetion of Rolls Royce and Sinfonia Viva), recognising the continued growth of this partnership now in its 4th year and also nominated for the Business Link A&B People Development Award.
Craftspace and VSM (UK) Ltd have continued their award winning partnership with a textile residency at Kiran Rangoli & Creative Arts Gallery in Birmingham. Indian textile artist Ranbir Kaur and support artist Sumra Ruhee worked with a group of women from Birmingham’s Bangladeshi and Pakistani community exploring together the stitches of a shared heritage through the use of contemporary textiles. Using new state of the art Pfaff sewing machines they were able to explore the possibilities new technology can offer to traditional craft practices.
Ranbir Kaur, through her arts consultancy Kiran Arts and Craft has been developing the crafts activities of Asian women from different countries for the last twelve years. Kiran Arts and Crafts has produced work and publicity to promote culture and participation in Asian Crafts between Asian and non-Asian people so they value and respect the work and develop a greater culture understanding.
“I was looking forward to working with the group to explore issues of identity and cultural heritage whilst building the confidence of the women and developing their textiles skills. The skills the women demonstrated were fantastic and we have enjoyed learning from each other and making new friends.”
Ranbir Kaur, Lead Artist, Kiran Rangoli & Creative Arts
On 21st May we held a sharing event at Kiran Rangoli & Creative Arts to celebrate the achievements of the participants. The event was attended by about 60 people, including other members of VSM staff and we were delighted to also welcome members of ACME Whistles staff, who work next door to the gallery. Mike Harris, VSM’s Managing Director, awarded certificates to each of the participants before everyone shared lunch together.
"I only get to see part codes and orders in the office so it’s really good to come and see, especially watch the ladies bringing the machines to life and actually seeing the designs they come up with."
Vicky, VSM
“It is fantastic to have been working once again with the team at VSM - we feel that together we have built a genuine partnership based on learning, trust, openness to new ideas and ways of working and that the project will prove to have mutual benefits for all involved in it.”
Deirdre Figueiredo, Director, Craftspace
"The group should all be really proud, I'm definitely proud because I know people who are scared to even use a machine to use a straight stitch. Rohina for example has used everything from a straight stitch, to fancy stitches and free machining and you need skill for that. I think they are all going to go away with some sort of new skill and hopefully develop it further."
Sumra Ruhee, Support Artist
Artists
Ranbir Kaur - Lead Artist
Sumra Ruhee- Assistant Artist
Curation And Partners
VSM (UK) limited www.pfaff.com
Madeira Threads: www.madeira.co.uk
Working with a group of women from the Bangladesh Women's Employment Resource Centre.
Ranbir Kaur. Kiran Rangoli & Creative Arts www.rangoli-arts.com
Contact
For more information please contact Linda Strain 0121 608 6668.
Photographs © : Jaskirt Dhaliwal
Developing people, ideas and opportunities through contemporary craft.
