THE BRITISH SARI STORY HEADS FOR WANDSWORTH
The exhibition, created by Bridging Arts with Heritage Lottery Funding, is on display at Balham and York Gardens libraries, giving library users an unexpected glimpse of the history, intricate design and evolution of an iconic Asian garment amidst the bookshelves and computer terminals.
“The British Sari Story is about patterns – and the way patterns tell stories,” says Bridging Arts director Susan Roberts. “The traditional saris on display are patterned with the peacocks and mango trees of south Asia and they are exquisite. But there are also brand new saris, winners of a national competition for British sari patterns.“These are on display in Balham now and range from a London tube map sari to a Cornish sari with buckets and spades.”
The show has been expertly draped by Wandsworth’s Asian Communities Librarian, Therese Rajadurai. “We’re delighted to be able to display such an exciting show that reflects the experience of so many British Asian communities in the Borough who are keen library users,” said Meryl Jones, Head of Library and Heritage Services. “We do hope that people will make a special trip to see these saris.”
The British Sari Story is particularly relevant for Wandsworth as the project involves an artist’s work in Tooting. Artist and researcher Helen Scalway spent three months visiting a sari shop there, drawing everything she saw. Her drawings, now on display at York Gardens, prompted Bridging Arts to start a search for British Asian patterns.
The competition for a British Sari is being run again this year. Entry is free and forms are downloadable from www.bridging-arts.com
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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 York Gardens Library, 34 Lavender Road, SW11 2UG (tel: 020 8871 7471)and Balham Library, 16, Ramsden Road, London SW12 8QY (tel: 020 8871 7185) until 21 February 2009. Admission free. Opening times at York Gardens: Mon-Tues 12 noon – 7pm; Wed-Thurs 930am-7pm; Friday 12 noon-7pm and Sat 12noon-5pm. Opening times at Balham: 9am-8pm Mon-Friday (closed Wed.) Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 1pm-5pm.
3. 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
4. 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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