What is the result when you use crafts as a bridge between cultures? In this exhibition you can see the result of repeated weekend gatherings where Afghan, Sami and Norwegian women have shared their time, knowledge, enthusiasm and interest in crafts and cultural expressions.
Ever since the spring of 2019, the initiator Maryam Sharifi has developed a unique meeting place between cultures, Threads between us, where especially techniques and ideas within embroidery and weaving have been central. The participants have learned from each other, inspired each other to new expressions and explored both traditional and free techniques. Through conversations, collaboration and their own work, the participants have gotten to know each other well.
The audience is now invited to see the result of this process, both with finished works and live testing of techniques. Here it will also be possible to present some of the craft techniques and folklore that are the starting point for the work. The exhibition represents joy and community through enthusiasm for the craft. The process is documented by Harstad Photo Club, which presents a wall with pictures of the craft process.
The project group has consisted of representatives from Stuornjárgga sámi duodji (SSD) with Nina Johanne Nupuk Johansen, Norges Husflidslag with Petra-Mari Linaker, Ingrid Larssen, who is a professional crafts artist, and Festspillene i Nord-Norge with Maryam Sharifi. Ingrid Larssen has been an important resource together with Maryam Sharifi for the project's framework and academic content.
In the spring of 2019, Maryam Sharifi took the initiative for a project to work with crafts across cultures. Maryam is from Afghanistan, where she was educated as a producer in the cultural sector. She moved to Harstad with her husband some time ago due to Harstad's status as a safe haven for musicians. Maryam met Norwegian society and saw the potential that lies in building a bridge between different cultures through gathering around the work with crafts and handicrafts. A potential for joy, learning and community across cultures. The participants in the project were invited to share time, knowledge, enthusiasm and interest in crafts and cultural expressions.
The project is a collaboration between Harstad bibliotek, Vardobaiki og Sør-Troms museum.
