This programme was developed as a response to the full scale invasion of Ukraine.
The first tapestry officially started in May 2022. This was initially intended as participatory needlework for local Ukrainian women, including those arriving under the ‘Home for Ukraine’ scheme. The project, however, quickly became a global collaboration with refugees stitching smaller parts across Europe. Further tapestries followed when visitors from Uckfield and Canterbury joined the group. To bring people together and help the integration of new arrivals within the community, the group hosted open events and embroidery workshops for all ages and abilities. In total five tapestries were started in different locations. Every tapestry is unique and tailored to each stitching group.
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MAIN TAPESTRY
The main tapestry, “Blue Cornflowers” is a large-scale cross stitch embroidery reproduction (2m x 3m) of a painting by the celebrated Ukrainian folk artist Maria Prymachenko. This is an ongoing participatory installation which anyone is invited to join. Regular sessions take place weekly on Mondays at Sunray Community Centre in Tolworth 11AM - 2PM and fortnightly on Thursdays 10AM - 1PM at All Saints Church in Kingston. (Please check the link below for dates)
SECONDARY TAPESTRIES
The four smaller tapestries were based on artworks made by two very talented Ukrainian refugee girls on the autism spectrum, Sasha & Masha, who inspired the group to start raising funds for families with additional needs displaced by the war.
“Masha’s Blue Flowers” 2022 – Leszno refugees’ tapestry made in Poland – completed.
“Masha’s and Natasha’s Flowers” 2023 (black background) – Uckfield refugees’ tapestry – final stage.
“Masha’s and Natasha’s Flowers 2023 (ecru background)– Canterbury refugees’ tapestry – final stage.
“Sasha’s Yellow Sunflowers” 2023 – tapestry mosaic by selected members of the local Hong Kong community, Corwallis Academy students in Kent, Sunray Estate residents in Tolworth and Knollmead Primary School children, including pupils from Emerald Specialist Resourced Provision for children with social communication needs and autism – completed.
