Five Minutes With... Masuma Akther
We spend five minutes with Masuma Akther, textile artist and tutor for our upcoming Bangladeshi
Quilt Embroidery Workshop, to find out more about the techniques and cultural heritage of the craft of Nakshi Kantha.
Tell us about your craft, who did you learn from and how long have you been practicing?
The craft is known as Nakshi Kantha and is a handmade quilt predominantly using recycled material. It has various contemporary uses such as a bed covers, table runners, cushion covers, women’s handbags, sarees and dress materials.
I learnt the basic techniques of making Kantha from my mother, after which, my sister and I started learning different stitching techniques from friends and neighbours.
My interest in craft and stitching started when I was in primary school as I was privileged enough to visit various parts of the country due to my father’s occupation. Consequently, I had the opportunity to learn several stitching techniques from different regions. Back in Bangladesh I used the craft for my personal use, however after migrating to Australia I started using Kantha stitches on neckpieces while I was working for fashion designer, Sally Phillips. I have also taught in workshops including the Traditional Craft Workshops at Guildhouse; Muslim Threads project in 2011 at Nexus Multicultural Arts; Art Think at Relationships Australia and an embroidery workshop in 2015 at Gallery 1855 Studio.
Can you describe for us the techniques used within Bangladeshi Quilt Embroidery?
Traditionally old cotton clothes such as sarees, lungis, dhotis, and scarfs are used to make a Nakshi Kantha. However, new materials can be used in Kantha making for commercial purpose. Primarily three to seven layers (depending on intended use) of fabrics are stitched together using a running stitch. A Kantha can be completed by using only a running stitch following straight lines, or several stitches to embroider various motives to express the stories of everyday lives.
Can you share the cultural heritage of these techniques?
Nakshi Kantha is a folk art that reflects the rural life of the Bangla region (Bangladesh and West Bengal, India) and goes back for many centuries. The motifs document how life was back then, comparable to how the Egyptians captured their history through carvings. It provides crucial insight into political history such as the period of British occupation and how they were perceived by Bengalis, a window to share thoughts across generations.
How has teaching the Traditional Craft Workshops impacted your practice?
The teaching of the craft has revived respect for my traditional background. The craft was an asset for me, for use whenever I needed, and now it is a treasure which needs to be preserved. It allowed me to cherish the knowledge that I inherited which I had initially taken for granted.
Masuma will be teaching Bangladeshi Quilt Embroidery as part of our Traditional Craft Workshops held in conjunction with Guildhouse.
Bangladeshi Quilt Embroidery will be held on Saturday 18 April from 10am - 4pm.
Artwork images supplied by the artist.
Hero Image: Video still from Guildhouse Traditional Craft Skills Workshop Program by Floodlight Media.