British Bridal Saris unveiled at Canary Wharf Show
Three new British bridal saris and a sparkling selection of traditional saris will be unveiled at Canary Wharf this June as part of The Story of London celebrations.
The exhibition in the lobby of One Canada Square, Britain’s tallest building, will be the latest stop for the British Sari Story, a celebration of British Asian heritage created by Bridging Arts with Heritage Lottery Funding.
“We’re delighted to have the saris on display in the heart of east London’s business district and an area famous historically for its patterns of migration,” says Bridging Arts Director Susan Roberts.
“They show the intricate design of an iconic Asian garment and a startling evolution in the patterns that cover it,” she says.
The new British saris on display for the first time are the winning entries in a national competition. They include designs from top prize winner Munawar Ahmed of Greenwich and Aarifa Chowdhury of Shadwell created into saris by top sari retailer RCKC. The uniquely British patterns reflect the UK’s vibrant British Asian population and are displayed alongside traditional saris from South Asia.
Other prize-winning patterns on show include a London Tube Map sari, a Notting Hill Carnival sari and a British landscape sari complete with Routemaster buses and a London skyline. All are printed on Habotai silk by the University of East London.
Sally Williams, Public Arts Consultant at Canary Wharf Group said, “We have a wonderfully diverse community in and around Canary Wharf and this is often reflected in the art on display here. It is pleasing that a number of these beautiful saris originated in East London, which is becoming a world class centre for arts, events and culture.”
ENDS
Location and Times
18th June – 26 June 2009
Lobby, One Canada Square
Canary Wharf, London E14 5AB
Monday to Friday 5.30am – midnight
Saturday & Sunday 7am – 11.30pm
Nearest Tube/DLR: Canary Wharf
For further information and images, please contact:
Hamish McDougall, Canary Wharf Group
Phone: +44 (0) 20 7 418 2326 or +44 (0) 7779 888 075
Email: hamish.mcdougall@canarywharf.com
About the British Sari Story
The British Sari Story exhibition was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. For more information, email Susan Roberts at info@bridging-arts.com or call 020 8749 9010 or 0794 12 52 444.
Schools are welcome to visit. Bridging Arts has developed an Education Pack around the exhibition, downloadable from www.bridging-arts.com/news/british-sari-story-education-pack-now-available
To enter the British Sari Story National Competition 2009 for a British Sari, please download an application form from www.bridging-arts.com. Alternatively application forms can be obtained by emailing info@bridging-arts.com or calling 020 8749 9010. Entry to the competition is free and the terms and conditions of the competition can be found on www.bridging-arts.com
RCKC is a top name in Asian, Indian and Ethnic haute couture and is one of the most exclusive UK and India based fashion houses in the UK and India. It provides Indian fashion wear and exclusive Indian Bridal and Groom Wear. In London, it is based at The Atlip Centre, Ealing Road, Wembley HA0 4LW. Tel: 020 8902 5383.
Bridging Arts works with art, photography and design to raise awareness of issues central to people’s lives and trigger debate. Visit www.bridging-arts.com for more information.
About Canary Wharf Group plc
Canary Wharf Group plc (CWG) is an integrated property development, investment and management group of companies. It is focused on the design, construction, leasing and management of Grade A office space and high-quality retail and leisure facilities on its 97 acre Estate in East London.
Over the past 20 years CWG has regenerated derelict wharves into one of the world’s premier business districts, constructing over 15 million square feet of office and retail space – more than any other company in London.
Canary Wharf is home to many of the world’s leading business organisations, including in the professional services, media, law, energy, financial services and transport sectors. It is also home to 200+ shops, bars, cafes and restaurants, including many of Britain’s leading brands.
The Estate includes 20 acres of landscaped parks and plazas. Canary Wharf hosts over 180 events a year and has one of the UK’s largest collections of public art.
As at 31 December 2008 the vacancy rate for Canary Wharf owned office space was 0.3%, a historical low.
Canary Wharf is set for further expansion. In 2008, CWG signed agreements to commence work on the Canary Wharf Crossrail Station and to continue work on a new European Headquarters for J.P. Morgan.
MEDIA RELEASE
21 May 2009
British Bridal Saris unveiled at Canary Wharf Show
Three new British bridal saris and a sparkling selection of traditional saris will be unveiled at Canary Wharf this June as part of The Story of London celebrations.
The exhibition in the lobby of One Canada Square, Britain’s tallest building, will be the latest stop for the British Sari Story, a celebration of British Asian heritage created by Bridging Arts with Heritage Lottery Funding.
“We’re delighted to have the saris on display in the heart of east London’s business district and an area famous historically for its patterns of migration,” says Bridging Arts Director Susan Roberts.
“They show the intricate design of an iconic Asian garment and a startling evolution in the patterns that cover it,” she says.
The new British saris on display for the first time are the winning entries in a national competition. They include designs from top prize winner Munawar Ahmed of Greenwich and Aarifa Chowdhury of Shadwell which have been created into new saris by leading retailer RCKC. The uniquely British patterns reflect the UK’s vibrant British Asian population and are displayed alongside traditional saris from South Asia.
Other prize-winning patterns on show include a London Tube Map sari, a Notting Hill Carnival sari and a British landscape sari complete with Routemaster buses and a London skyline. All are printed on Habotai silk by the University of East London.
Sally Williams, Public Arts Consultant at Canary Wharf Group said, “We have a wonderfully diverse community in and around Canary Wharf and this is often reflected in the art on display here. It is pleasing that a number of these beautiful saris originated in East London, which is becoming a world class centre for arts, events and culture.”
ENDS
Location and Times
18th June – 26 June 2009
Lobby, One Canada Square
Canary Wharf, London E14 5AB
Monday to Friday 5.30am – midnight
Saturday & Sunday 7am – 11.30pm
Nearest Tube/DLR: Canary Wharf
For further information and images, please contact:
Hamish McDougall, Canary Wharf Group
Phone: +44 (0) 20 7 418 2326 or +44 (0) 7779 888 075
Email: hamish.mcdougall@canarywharf.com
About the British Sari Story
The British Sari Story exhibition was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. For more information, email Susan Roberts at info@bridging-arts.com or call 020 8749 9010 or 0794 12 52 444.
Schools are welcome to visit. Bridging Arts has developed an Education Pack around the exhibition, downloadable from www.bridging-arts.com/news/british-sari-story-education-pack-now-available
To enter the British Sari Story National Competition 2009 for a British Sari, please download an application form from www.bridging-arts.com. Alternatively application forms can be obtained by emailing info@bridging-arts.com or calling 020 8749 9010. Entry to the competition is free and the terms and conditions of the competition can be found on www.bridging-arts.com
RCKC is a top name in Asian, Indian and Ethnic haute couture and is one of the most exclusive UK and India based fashion houses in the UK and India. It provides Indian fashion wear and exclusive Indian Bridal and Groom Wear. In London, it is based at The Atlip Centre, Ealing Road, Wembley HA0 4LW. Tel: 020 8902 5383.
Bridging Arts works with art, photography and design to raise awareness of issues central to people’s lives and trigger debate. Visit www.bridging-arts.com for more information.
About Canary Wharf Group plc
Canary Wharf Group plc (CWG) is an integrated property development, investment and management group of companies. It is focused on the design, construction, leasing and management of Grade A office space and high-quality retail and leisure facilities on its 97 acre Estate in East London.
Over the past 20 years CWG has regenerated derelict wharves into one of the world’s premier business districts, constructing over 15 million square feet of office and retail space – more than any other company in London.
Canary Wharf is home to many of the world’s leading business organisations, including in the professional services, media, law, energy, financial services and transport sectors. It is also home to 200+ shops, bars, cafes and restaurants, including many of Britain’s leading brands.
The Estate includes 20 acres of landscaped parks and plazas. Canary Wharf hosts over 180 events a year and has one of the UK’s largest collections of public art.
As at 31 December 2008 the vacancy rate for Canary Wharf owned office space was 0.3%, a historical low.
Canary Wharf is set for further expansion. In 2008, CWG signed agreements to commence work on the Canary Wharf Crossrail Station and to continue work on a new European Headquarters for J.P. Morgan.
