This event will be live-streamed on YouTube, Wednesday 16th April, 7-8.30pm, you can RSVP here.
Join us for a free online conversation event between multidisciplinary artist Aziza Kadyri, and Francesca Stocco, PhD researcher of textile art at Nottingham Trent University.
The talk will explore Aziza’s contemporary art practice, which blends the Central Asian tradition of suzani embroidery with AI technology. Combining physical stitching with digital tools, she reformulates suzani motifs and infuses them with personal and current socio-political narratives.
Together, the speakers will discuss the evolving meaning of textile craft in Aziza’s practice and in the context of Uzbekistan’s ongoing cultural transformation. Aziza has represented Uzbekistan at the 2024 Venice Art Biennial, along with the Qizlar collective and suzani master Madina Kasimbaeva. Set within a deconstructed theatre backstage, the exhibition explored migration, identity, and belonging through the lived experiences of Central Asian women. Through her collective and multi-media practice, Aziza challenges the Euro-centric division between craft and the fine arts, while also questioning the notion of single authorship in artistic production.
This event is part of Formations, Bonington Gallery’s ongoing events programme that is delivered in partnership with the Postcolonial and Global Studies Research Group.
To watch the live stream via YouTube, click here
Aziza Kadyri is a multidisciplinary artist focusing on experimental costumes, textiles, performance practices, and immersive technology. Her work has been showcased at the Uzbekistan National Pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale, Pushkin House (London), Fondazione Elpis (Milan), and KINDL – Centre for Contemporary Art (Berlin). This year, she will participate in the first edition of the Bukhara Biennial, collaborating with suzani master Yulduz Mukhiddinova, and the 5th Hangzhou Triennial of Fibre Art.
Francesca Stocco is a PhD researcher at Nottingham Trent University. Her research specialises on the sociology of the art market and focuses on the resurgence of textile art in the twenty-first century. On the side, she runs the editorial and design project Filanda n.18 that explores textiles’ cultural narratives.
A richly diverse collection of the futuristic and the retrospective: Knitting Nottingham challenged popular perceptions of knitting as cosy and nostalgic; showcasing creative design, art, technology and research across a wide range of knit-inspired work from internationally renowned designers, artists and researchers.
As part of Nottingham Trent University’s 170 Years of Art and Design event series, it celebrated the transformational role played by Nottingham in the growth of the knitting industry and knit technology, and provoked a serious question: how far can we stretch our ideas about knitting?
The message was don’t get comfortable; contrary to what we might think, the relationship between knitting and pushing the boundaries of technology is extremely close.
Stunning garments, 3D prints, performance footwear, knitted conductive textile technology, priceless historical artefacts, a tea set made from electro-plated knit, and working state-of-the-art knitting machinery were just some of the exhibits on show which demonstrated the innovative and challenging nature of knit today.
View a selection of images from the Knitting Nottingham exhibition by visiting the 170 years website.
As part of Nottingham Trent University’s celebration of 170 Years of Art and Design heritage, we supported BBC Radio Nottingham’s Big Poppy Knit in support of the Royal British Legion’s annual Poppy Appeal.
A commemorative poppy specially designed by Sir Paul Smith was on show during the exhibition.
Click here to download the exhibition handout
