Community Art Workshops
Henna & Calligraphy: Art as Resistance and Healing
Henna is often used to celebrate special moments, but in Sudan it’s also become a quiet way to fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Some midwives and henna artists use hidden symbols in their designs to show that a family wants to protect their daughters from harm.
This workshop is inspired by those women. We use henna and calligraphy to explore how traditions can be reclaimed for resistance and healing. Henna carries secret messages of protection, while calligraphy has always been a way to speak when voices are silenced.
We mix Arabic, Geez, and English scripts to create powerful phrases like She’s Fearless or Strength in Sisterhood. There’s also space to talk, share stories, or just create quietly. The aim is to leave with a piece of art that feels personal, and with a sense of connection to others.
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Henna is often used to celebrate special moments, but in Sudan it’s also become a quiet way to fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Some midwives and henna artists use hidden symbols in their designs to show that a family wants to protect their daughters from harm.
This workshop is inspired by those women. We use henna and calligraphy to explore how traditions can be reclaimed for resistance and healing. Henna carries secret messages of protection, while calligraphy has always been a way to speak when voices are silenced.
We mix Arabic, Geez, and English scripts to create powerful phrases like She’s Fearless or Strength in Sisterhood. There’s also space to talk, share stories, or just create quietly. The aim is to leave with a piece of art that feels personal, and with a sense of connection to others.
Seeds of Change – Youth Collage Workshop
I led this workshop with Sarah Walton at Peckham Levels for the Seeds of Change exhibition. We worked with Year 10 students from Harris Academy Peckham, exploring war and conflict through art. I ran a collage-making session using newspapers, and the students came up with bold, thoughtful work on racial, climate, and social justice.
