CORNWALL SAYS SARI AT SPARKLING FALMOUTH SHOW
A collection of especially designed saris for 21st century Britain and a sparkling selection of traditional saris will be on display in March in Cornwall as the British Sari Story, a Lottery-funded project celebrating British Asian heritage, opens at University College, Falmouth.
The exhibition, created by Bridging Arts with Heritage Lottery Funding, will be on display at the College’s Tremough campus, giving students and the general public a unique glimpse of the history, intricate design and evolution of an iconic Asian garment.
“The British Sari Story is about patterns – and the way patterns tell stories,” says Bridging Arts director Susan Roberts. “The traditional saris in the show are patterned with the peacocks and mango trees of south Asia. But there are also brand new saris, winners of a national competition for British Asian sari patterns, with designs reflecting life in this country today.“It’s particularly exciting to have these on display in Falmouth as one of the winners was a UCF student. The pale blues and yellows of Miranda Hicks’ Cornish sari, covered with buckets and spades, impressed the judges.”
The show has been expertly draped by overseas students at Falmouth. “We’re delighted to display such an exciting show that gives us a unique insight into the experience of British Asians,” says Rob Curran, UCF’s Diversity Officer. “We do hope that people will make a special trip to see these saris.”The competition for a British Sari is being run again this year. Entry is free and forms are downloadable from www.bridging-arts.com
“It would be great to have another Cornish winner,” says Roberts. “I hope that the exhibition will inspire textile and fashion students at Falmouth to pick up their sketchbooks.”
The British Sari Story was developed by Bridging Arts in partnership with Brent Museum, the V&A Museum and Sona Rupa, Leicester. The new sari patterns were printed on Habotai silk by the University of East London.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
1. 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.
2. The British Sari Story is on display at the Design Centre, University College Falmouth. from Monday 2 March to Saturday 7 March. Opening times 10am-5pm daily.
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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.
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