The Barbican is an adored epicentre of arts and culture, nestled inside a protected brutalist beauty in the heart of the city. With a continuous flow of must-visit exhibitions and things to do, their newest exhibit delves into the political power behind textiles with an all-new commission piece planned to completely transform the centre’s Lakeside Terrace.
Unravel: The Power and Politics of Textiles in Art is currently on display, boasting an insightful collection of textile artworks that explore themes of violence and imperialism, alongside stories of resilience and hope. The newest piece to be added to the exhibit will be a public art installation by Ibrahim Mahamaall set to be unveiled on April 10.
Entitled Purple Hibiscus, named after the acclaimed 2003 novel by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the installation will feature 2000 square meters of woven cloth enveloping the building’s iconic concrete exterior. Approximately 100 ‘batakaris’ will be embroidered onto the fabric, which are robes worn famously by Northern Ghanaian royals, as well as ordinary people. The artist collected the robes from numerous communities across Northern Ghana through trading and exchanges.
This not only emphasises feelings of community and the lineage of clothing, but it highlights the artist’s shift into collaborative efforts as Mahama certainly isn’t alone in creating this monumental piece. The artist is collaborating with networks of women weavers and sewing collectivesactively working with local communities for allyship and artistic expression, offering an ‘expanded reflection on the power and significance of collective labour’.
Once transported to the Barbican, the intricately prepared fabric will dress part of the Barbican’s façade for a limited time onlycoinciding with the current textile exhibition on display at their art gallery, which we mentioned earlier.
The exhibition’s location also holds great significance, with the beloved London arts centre located on the former Cripplegate parish. Although mostly destroyed during the Second World War, the area was then famed for the buying, selling and production of cloth. This local history along with the message behind this art installation makes this must-see exhibition that much more serendipitous.
Also, this public piece of art is completely free to witness, unlike its exhibit counterpart, reaffirming Mahama’s belief that art belongs to all. In a statement to the Barbican about his upcoming installation, he said: “It’s like doing plastic surgery, but this time you require a soul that dwells within the body, which is immaterial to build on the physical material.”
So, get ready for a colourful yet purposeful transformation coming to the Barbican this spring, alongside its stellar line-up of arts, culture, theatre, and beyond. For more information on the installation, exhibition, and all things Barbican, click here to visit their website.
You’ll be able to view Purple Hibiscus by Ibrahim Mahama at the Barbican’s Lakeside Terrace from April 10 until August 18. The installation is part of their must-see exhibition Unravel: The Power and Politics of Textiles in Art. Click the link below for some more essential exhibitions that are currently on display in London.
