BARNSLEY Libraries is celebrating Black History Month with a West African textile art installation.

On Wednesday evening, the Library @ the Lightbox hosted an unveiling of Izzy Dabiri’s installation, ‘A Celebration of West African Textile Traditions’.

In honour of this year’s Black History Month, Barnsley Libraries commissioned artist Izzy Dabiri to collaborate with residents, exploring and celebrating West African textile traditions and the creativity of Barnsley makers. This initiative is one of five creative commissions selected for this year’s National Portfolio Organisation programme, which aims to provide local communities with opportunities to engage in art and culture.

Over the course of three weekends, residents participated in creative workshops where they learned how to create a natural indigo vat and discovered the rich history of this craft in Nigeria. Guided by the artist, the group created their own versions of the vibrant ‘Asafo’ flags, using the fabric to communicate their interests and personal stories, inspired by this rich textile tradition.

Councillor Wendy Cain, Cabinet Spokesperson for Public Health and Communities, said: “We are thrilled to see the community come together to celebrate the rich textile traditions of West Africa.

“This project not only highlights the creativity and talent within our community but also fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of diverse cultural heritages. It is a testament to the power of art in bringing people together and creating meaningful connections.”

Izzy Dabiri, the artist, said: “It was lovely to work with the local community while sharing personal stories and getting to know each other over a few weeks. I particularly enjoyed guiding the participants to learn more about history and traditions and to build their skills in working with textiles and expressing themselves creatively.

“Thanks to Barnsley Libraries for offering this wonderful opportunity and I hope people will enjoy the work that we made together.”

The created flags will be displayed on the ground floor of the Library @ the Lightbox until Saturday..

Izzy Dabiri is an artist who is passionate about the ubiquity of textiles and their potential to facilitate communication, share deep histories, and create connections. Collaboration and respect for makers are central to her work, and she embraces collective textile traditions such as quilting and weaving, embodying the idea that ‘many hands make one thing’.

At the end of 2022, Barnsley Libraries was awarded National Portfolio Organisation status and is committed to bringing art and culture to local communities as part of their enhanced offer.

This commission is supported by public funding from Arts Council England.