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Project Esperanza
Eve-Hawa Quilt, 2023
Fabric, shells, bamboo canes
1st March to 11th May
The Project Esperanza ‘Eve/Hawa Quilt’ is a poignant tapestry woven by the skilled hands of Project Esperanza’s Women’s sewing group in Edinburgh. More than a mere creation, it serves as a profound expression of resilience and healing. Crafted as part of a therapeutic journey, the quilt delves into the intricacies of racism, trauma, migration, and acceptance. Each stitch tells a story, binding together diverse cultural threads in a harmonious narrative that transcends borders, fostering empathy and understanding within the rich fabric of humanity.
Project Esperanza is an Edinburgh-based womanist initiative bringing race and faith-sensitive specialist services & culturally appropriate support to women of African and diverse cultural backgrounds through wellbeing and integration services, human rights advocacy and through youth work. They are also actively involved in anti-racism training and work to regularly train the workforce around issues of cultural fluency and bias in connection with The Promise Scotland.
“Project Esperanza is a charity supporting women of African heritage and from other culturally diverse backgrounds. This quilt is our expression of what it means for us to be women in Scotland today. Weaving together our stories, our rebirths, the journeys we have taken to get where we are today, this is a collective expression of our identities, inner strength, heritage and home.
After our many rebirths… this woman symbolises togetherness despite challenges, language barriers, hostile conditions and integration. Her two halves reflect the difficulties experienced in our lives, alongside the joy, strength and beauty of our stories. She represents a renewal of life and identity through time, place and space – being Scottish and feeling at home here.
The crafty and blessed hands that created this piece represent the sistahood that has delivered our rebirth in whichever way you wish to understand it as you stand in this space. ”
Vicky Nyanga-Ndiaye, on behalf of Project Esperanza Sewing Group
Quilt lent courtesy of Project Esperanza and the artists
Led by textile artist Francia Boakye with the assistance of Mary Osifo and Chahira Sahnoun, Fatima Chowdhury, Becky Oglogo, Suraya Hussein, Suresh Sanders, Nadia Akter, Chakiba Bensari, Mounia Lamali, Awara Ahmed, Rahilia Rafique, Fareeda Kareem and Katerzyna Tomczyk.
Thanks to Victoria Nyanga-Ndiaye, Project Esperanza and Alberta Whittle.
Project Esperanza
1st March to 11th May
Accessibility
Glasgow Women’s Library is wheelchair accessible, with lifts to the first floor and the Mezzanine Floor. We have accessible toilets and all the bathrooms are individual closed stalls and are gender neutral. Our larger Events Space is fitted with an induction loop. A portable induction loop is also available.
Find more information on Accessibility at GWL or contact us and we will be very happy to offer assistance.
