Threadz - Textiles for Peace

Textiles for Peace was a multicultural community textile project that was inspired by an awareness of the many different textile traditions that exist within Oxford’s diverse population, as well as by a concern about the increased fear and tension in communities following 9/11 and of the need for people of different cultures and religions to get to know and understand each other.

This was Textiles for Peace’s first project. Theydecided to launch their group by making a tent which, as a shelter for all, would symbolise the wish for all people to live together in peace and harmony.

From late February 2003, groups of women learnt many different textile techniques at regular workshops held at Fusion Arts in East Oxford. Most of the tutors were members of the group with specialist skills.

At first the group practised their skills on small panels. They then graduated to large panels, each co-ordinated by a textile artist and which formed the main body of the tent, lining it inside and outside. A group of women in Banbury also held regular workshops and contributed two very large and beautifully worked panels.