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The unveiling of Somali
elder women’s textile art in the US occurred in an exhibition,
Stories in the Cloth, at The
Textile Center of Minnesota in June 2006.The Somali weavers,
who are refugees from the war in Somalia and who were notable to
weave during the years spent in camps because they did not have
materials,are now beginning to recreate the art they learned from
their mothers and grandmothers as teenagers. The women are thrilled
to be able to practice their art again, re-introducing designs that
are thousands of years old. Twined weavings have been used for hundreds
of years in Somalia for baskets, bags, and rugs as decorations for
homes, and saddles for camels and horses. |
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Textile Center Executive
Director,Margaret Miller says, “We were honored to recognize
the skill and creativity of the ten Somali women who produced the
traditional twined weavings and proud that we were the first in
Minnesota to share their ancient art form with the larger community.” |
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| Stories
in the Cloth at The
Textile Center was the first of several
exhibitions of Somali twined weaving since 2006. The women’s
work was also shown at the Abbott Northwestern Hospital’s
Institute of Health and Healing,
the Lutheran Church of the Reformation
in St. Louis Park, a national healthcare conference held in St.
Paul, and in an Augsburg College
gallery. Because Augsburg College is our neighbor, the opening of
the Augsburgexhibit was paired with an open house at the East African
Women’s Center, with vans transporting visitors between the
two sites. |
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| “It’s not an exaggeration
to say that the students, faculty, and staff at Augsburg College
were incredibly honored to have the Somali women’s weavings
on displayin our art gallery. Not only are the hangings beautifully
made, but they are alsoa touchstone to seeing how that beauty is
manifest in the women themselves. Knowing how the objects are created
(on the artist’s lap, without a loom) and how they help provide
a sense of community for immigrant women enhances theirsplendor
even more,” says Augsburg College Director of Galleries and
Exhibitions,Kerry Morgan. Adds Megan Hatch, Curator at the Institute
of Health and Healing,“Sometimes a piece of art touches you
in such a way that it just has to go home with you, becoming a permanent
part of your life. These weavings are that important.” |
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“The weavings
are part of a rich history that needs to be collected, preserved,and
ideally passed along to younger generations. We hope that the “Threadsof
Community” exhibitionat Augsburg College has played a small
role in securing the ongoing appreciationof this artistic tradition.”Kerry
MorganDirector of Galleries & Exhibitions |
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| “I did not even know that
this art form existed in my culture. When I saw it the first time,
I did not know where it came from. Now I want to learn how to makeit
too,” says Somali college student, Awo Ahmed. |
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“This work is
important for the women—and for our community,” says
Raho Warsame, vice-chair of CSCM’s Board of Directors. “Making
the work giveswomen a feeling of hope and helps them feel like they
are making a contributionto the Somali and mainstream communities.” |
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