Izzy Dabiri - Wombwell in Three Acts – Past, Present, Future
As part of Storying Barnsley’s Engage/Create commissions artist Izzy Dabiri collaborated with Wombwell community members to make this work. Through research, craft sessions, call outs for contributions and many long chats, Izzy learned about Wombwell through the stories, photos, dreams, frustrations and wishes that members of the community shared with her.
"Using different textile techniques we created work that celebrates the people and place, past, present and future, of Wombwell. One of my biggest takeaways from this project is a growing confidence in my ability to engage people with integrity, to truly listen to them and to hold space for meaningful sharing and creative expression."
Amongst many things, Izzy learned about Wombwell’s important connection to UK theatre in the 20th century, through the work of Taylors (Theatrical) Printers. So, the work, like a play, is in three acts.
Act 1 – Past
Takes a mix of archive images, as well as personal images shared by community members, to create a window into Wombwell’s past. Through many conversations with different members of the craft group, Izzy learned so much. Stories about how the swimming baths would be turned into a dance hall where many fun nights were had, remembering businesses and shops on the busy high street, families moving to Wombwell throughout the 20th century for work and building a life there.
Using a photo transfer technique, Izzy wanted to create a textile and effect that looked like a found, long forgotten object. The embroidery is an outline of an unusual 17th century map of Wombwell she came across in her research.
Act 2 – Present
A stitch diary. Think of doodling in a journal, with thread. Izzy asked contributors ‘what is the one word or phrase you would use to describe Wombwell?’ and then passed the empty piece of linen around for community members to respond and make their mark.
Act 3 – Future
The future of anywhere is our children. Always and endlessly inspired by the work of James Baldwin, Izzy used words of his as a starting point;
‘The children are always ours, every single one of them, all over the globe…….’
Izzy wanted to make visible the care, love and labour that goes in to raising children, as well as celebrate their parents and carers, reminding us of the importance of community in child rearing. Through a suggestion box people contributed words, dreams, well wishes that they have for their children. Izzy then, through careful stitching, integrated these offerings into the garments she and members of the craft group had made.
Special thanks to talented makers Ann Ball and Rachel Thrumble, members of the Wombwell Library Craft and Knitting Group, for their beautiful contributions for Act Three.
A huge thank you to Wombwell Library Craft and Knitting Group, led by Kerry Bassindale and Alison Taylor, who so warmly welcomed me into their weekly sessions. As well as special thanks to Valerie Bell who generously shared her memories and knowledge of Taylor’s Printers, local primary school children who contributed beautiful pictures and poems showing me their view of Wombwell, and to the wider community who contributed words, pictures and helped me understand better the place they call home. A thank you to Barnsley Libraries, and libraries generally, for being such important community spaces where wonderful stuff happens.
This project was supported by Storying Barnsley, Barnsley Council, Arts Council and Beam Arts. Thank you so much to the whole team for supporting this work.
- Izzy Dabiri
About Izzy Dabiri
Izzy’s practice in textiles stems from her background in theatre as a bespoke tailor.
She says: “I am interested in the ubiquity of textiles, the ‘everyday-ness’ of them, and how this can be utilised to facilitate communication, the sharing of deep histories, personal stories and creating sights of connection. Collaboration and my respect for makers are key. Drawing on collective textile traditions such as quilting and weaving, the idea that ‘many hands make one thing’ is central. My work is research-informed. I define research broadly, expansively seeing it in everything I do, from a song I hear, to an article I read, to learning with and from the different people I work with. I have many co-conspirators and I value them all. I want my work with others to be generative, flexible, and care filled, offering spaces of connection and creative expression.”
Of the ENGAGE / CREATE commission, Izzy said: “I am delighted to have been chosen for this supportive commission and am really looking forward to seeing what we co-create over the coming months.”
Izzy was mentored by artist and curator Natasha Clarke.
Find out about Izzy’s work on Barnsley Council’s Black History Month celebrations
