Kheit: Exploring Arab British Heritage through Islamic Textiles

Kheit is a new collaboration between artist Nour Hage, the Arab British Centre and Leighton House, funded by the Barakat Trust's Hands On Islamic Art grant and National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Ahead of its launch in spring 2023, we are inviting Kensington and Chelsea residents to an Open Call to co-create with Nour a textile artwork inspired by Leighton House’s Arab Hall and newly acquired textile collection. The artwork will be displayed as part of Kheit, an upcoming exhibition exploring the threads connecting Britain and the Arab world in the 19th and early 20th Centuries. Participants will also have the opportunity to shape the curation of the exhibition through contributing to texts, digital display and event ideas.

Who we’re looking for

• Adults aged 18 and over based in Kensington and Chelsea
• No previous textiles experience is required but a willingness to learn, share and create with a group is a must!
• Enthusiasm for textiles and Islamic art
• Open to people of all backgrounds, however we particularly encourage applications from people of Arab heritage due to the focus of the project

Workshop and Application Details

• 8 spaces available
• Participants must be able to attend all workshop dates
• Sessions will be run in English
• Participants will receive a £25 fee per workshop (5 workshops total)

Workshop Dates

1. Workshop 1: Saturday 21 January 2023; 10am - 1pm
2. Workshops 2 & 3: Sunday 22 January 2023; 10am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm
3. Workshops 4 & 5: Saturday 28 January 2023; 10am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm

How to apply

• Electronic application forms can be submitted from the link below:

Apply here

• Paper application forms can also be found at Leighton House Welcome Desk and at libraries around the Borough. Please send completed application forms by post to: Charlotte Villiers, Leighton House, 12 Holland Park Road, London W14 8LZ or drop them at Leighton House to the attention of Charlotte Villiers.

Please submit your application by midday on Sunday 4 December 

Project partners

Nour Hage is an award-winning British-Lebanese artist and designer, working across textile and digital. Her practice is centred on the exploration of Middle Eastern identities, culture, history & storytelling with a particular focus on the role of women, the supernatural and mental wellbeing.

Leighton House is the former home and studio of the leading Victorian artist, Frederic, Lord Leighton (1830-1896). The highlight of any visit is the extraordinary Arab Hall which reflects Leighton’s fascination with the Middle East and presents an extraordinary collection of Islamic tiles and mosaic floors. The museum has recently completed a major redevelopment which has provided additional gallery space, a new café, improved facilities and a dedicated learning centre. Both the restored wing and the historic house are now step-free access for the first time.

Arab British Centre is a London-based charity which works to further understanding of the Arab world in the UK. Through exhibitions, commissions, and community engagement programmes they aim to overturn preconceptions and challenge prejudices, retrace the ways the Arab world has influenced and shaped British culture and society, and celebrate the contributions of Arabs in Britain, past and present.

The Barakat Trust was founded as a UK charity in 1987 and operates for educational and heritage purposes focusing on the heritage of the Islamic world. Providing scholarships and grants for study and research projects at the world’s most respected academic and cultural institutions at post-graduate and post-doctoral level, The Trust works in partnership with a wide range of institutions to preserve the heritage of the Islamic world, raise awareness, and engage with diverse audiences. Over the past 30 years, The Trust has invested resources in building the skills of heritage professionals and supporting 750 grantees with projects in 40 countries. 

The Barakat Trust is an international non-political, non-religious, non-sectarian and independent charity based in the United Kingdom.