Stanley Picker Gallery is pleased to be hosting Flowers We Give To Ukraine, an exhibition and programme of community integration tapestry projects that was developed by Magdalena Glowacka, who, following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 started the Polish-Ukrainian community group in Tolworth called Ariadne’s Thread.
Their work focuses on the strength and resilience of women, underlining the role and significance of the female figure in the preservation of the cultural identity. With a creative vision and the goal to keep native customs and memories of home alive, the members engage in traditional crafts and collaborative activities. In the effort to bring people together and help the integration of the new arrivals within the local community, the group also hosts public events and workshops.
Their current principal activity, “Blue Cornflowers…” is a large-scale cross stitch embroidery reproduction of a painting by the celebrated Ukrainian folk artist Maria Prymachenko. This is an ongoing participatory installation which anyone is invited to join. The aim is to provide a therapeutic outlet and social interaction to those displaced by the conflict, but also to raise awareness and funds for the humanitarian aid in support of families with special needs in Ukraine. This action led to a series of tapestries, which were inspired by two Ukrainian girls, Sasha & Masha who the group support through their fundraising efforts. The girls are on the autism spectrum and have used painting as therapy and expression throughout their lives. The images used for the tapestries are artworks they created during art therapy sessions after their evacuation from the occupied territories.
Every tapestry is unique and tailored to each group.
Tapestries on display:
“Blue Cornflowers…” 2022 installation – work in progress with separate pieces from Germany, Ukraine, Sweden and Norway.“Masha’s Blue Flowers” 2022 – Leszno refugees’ tapestry from Poland
“Masha’s and Natasha’s Flowers” 2023 – Uckfield refugees’ tapestry – work in progress
“Sasha’s Yellow Sunflower’s” 2023 – Knollmead Primary School Y6 tapestry mosaic, including pupils from Emerald Specialist Resourced Provision for children with Social Communication needs and Autism.