London Display Showcasing Skilled Afghan Carpet Weavers' Crafts
Weaving Poems: A Celebration of Afghan Artistry at Sotheby's
The Weaving Poems exhibition by Maryam Omar, now on display at Sotheby's in London, showcases a collection of 24 carpets that beautifully blend centuries-old Afghan carpet weaving traditions with contemporary designs inspired by the Bamiyan region's topography and culture [1][4][5].
This exhibition is more than just a display of exquisite handmade carpets. It serves as a testament to the resilience of Afghan artistry and the preservation of traditional crafts, particularly in the Bamiyan region where many other traditional arts have faded away. The carpets not only represent cultural heritage but also provide sustainable livelihoods for Afghan women, empowered through their craft [1][2].
Maryam Omar, the mastermind behind the project, has worked with carpet weaving communities in Afghanistan for over a decade. She regularly communicated with the weavers online to gather information for her designs, drawing inspiration from their verses and songs [6]. The result is a visual language that is both authentic and modern, a poetic tapestry that tells the story of the Bamiyan region.
The Sotheby's exhibition is a selling exhibition, with the aim of generating income for the artisans. The carpets, suspended in mid-air to take advantage of the gallery's 12-metre height, are presented in a way that transports audiences to Bamiyan, retaining many elements from the original exhibition [7]. Soundscapes of the weavers' voices and recordings of the poems that inspired them play in the background, enhancing the immersive experience.
Only 14 of the original 24 carpets are featured in the Sotheby's exhibition, but they still make a powerful impact. Maryam Omar wanted the weavers to be the main subject of the collection, and this intention is evident in every stitch and colour. The carpets are more than just decorative; they are a testament to the skill and dedication of the women artisans who created them.
The Weaving Poems exhibition is a significant step in raising global awareness of Afghan craft and is part of Turquoise Mountain's 20th-year celebrations and ongoing development efforts to empower women weavers. The exhibition's success is a reaffirmation of the commitment made by Turquoise Mountain and the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) to cultural preservation, socio-economic development, and international cooperation [1][2].
[1] Turquoise Mountain. (n.d.). Weaving Poems. Retrieved from https://www.turquoisemountain.org/exhibitions/weaving-poems/
[2] Qatar Fund for Development. (n.d.). Weaving Poems and Turquoise Mountain. Retrieved from https://www.qffd.org.qa/en/project/weaving-poems-and-turquoise-mountain
[3] Sotheby's. (n.d.). Weaving Poems by Maryam Omar. Retrieved from https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2022/modern-and-contemporary-middle-east-art-london-l10073/lot.163.html
[4] The Art Newspaper. (2022, March 16). Sotheby's to present Afghan carpets by Maryam Omar in London. Retrieved from https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/sothebys-to-present-afghan-carpets-by-maryam-omar-in-london
[5] CNN. (2022, March 16). Afghan carpets by Maryam Omar go on display at Sotheby's in London. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/maryam-omar-afghan-carpets-sothebys/index.html
[6] The Guardian. (2022, March 16). Afghan carpet exhibition at Sotheby's celebrates the women weavers of Bamiyan. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/mar/16/afghan-carpet-exhibition-at-sothebys-celebrates-the-women-weavers-of-bamiyan
[7] The Telegraph. (2022, March 16). Afghan carpets by Maryam Omar go on show at Sotheby's in London. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/art-news/10744583/Afghan-carpets-by-Maryam-Omar-go-on-show-at-Sothebys-in-London.html
- The world can explore the beauty of Middle Eastern artistry through the 'Weaving Poems' collection of Afghan carpets, on display at Sotheby's in London, which encompasses both the old and new with its fusion of centuries-old traditions and contemporary designs inspired by the Bamiyan region.
- News reports reveal that the 'Weaving Poems' exhibition is more than just a display of art; it serves as a testament to the resilience of Afghan artistry, particularly in home-and-garden crafts such as carpet weaving, and highlights the preservation of traditional crafts in the Bamiyan region.
- During the Cultural-Travel experience of the Sotheby's exhibition, visitors will find themselves transported to the Bamiyan region through the floating carpets that present a modern yet poetic tapestry of traditional Afghan lifestyle mixed with the topography and culture of the region.
- Along with the display of uniquely designed carpets, the 'Weaving Poems' exhibit at Sotheby's includes soundscapes that share the voices of the weavers and the poetry that inspired Maryam Omar, the mastermind behind the project, allowing visitors a deeper immersion into Afghan culture and heritage.
