On January 17, 2025, I hosted a stitching circle at Open Space studio, centered around Aadaab KELKE,ILC (I pay my respects to you, Wild Rose), a collaborative, community engaged textile work. This project brings together Indigenous and South Asian/Persian heritage communities, inviting participants to slow down, connect, and create art in a shared space while grounding with rose medicine.
During the gathering, participants shared basic embroidery techniques as they stitched an Urdu poem by Mirza Ghalib about grief and joy encircled by KELKE,ILC (Nootka roses). Aadaab KELKE, ILC will be presented in Contemplating Change as part of Open Space Arts Society’s re-opening project.
This project is funded by a CRD Equity Grant and Open Space Arts Society.
Aadaab KELKE,ILC, January 17, 2025, Open Space. Image Courtesy: Amena Sharmin
Aadaab KELKE,ILC, January 17, 2025, Open Space. Image Courtesy: Amena Sharmin