Chila Burman Welcomes You: A Vibrant Tapestry of Migration and Memory
Visitors to IWM North in Manchester are invited to step into the luminous world of Chila Kumari Singh Burman with Chila Welcomes You, a major new commission that blends personal and collective histories of Indian migration to Britain after the Second World War. Known for her subversive and playful approach to storytelling through art, Burman presents an immersive experience that brings together neon light sculptures, photography, printmaking, and, for the first time in her career, tapestry.
Chila Burman stands in front of her neon light installation, part of 'Chila Welcomes You' at IWM North.
A key highlight of the exhibition is Cosmological World, Burman’s first-ever tapestry, created in collaboration with the esteemed craftspeople of West Dean. Made from cotton, wool, lurex, gold thread, rayon, and bamboo, the tapestry embodies Burman’s signature fusion of traditional and religious iconography with bold patterns, vibrant colours, and pop culture references. Within its intricate weave, the Hindu god Krishna plays his flute alongside a pair of flamingos, their forms outlined in vivid pink and green. This playful yet deeply symbolic composition reflects the broader themes of Chila Welcomes You, exploring the complexity of identity, heritage, and migration with Burman’s characteristic energy and dynamism.
Detail showing work-in-progress for Cosmological World tapestry by Chila Burman in collaboration with West Dean Tapestry Studio for Chila Welcomes You at IWM North © IWM
Burman’s practice has long been rooted in her Punjabi heritage, her upbringing in Liverpool, and a politically charged feminist perspective. Chila Welcomes You builds upon these themes, responding to key historical moments such as Indian independence and the Partition of 1947, while also incorporating her family’s own migration story. The centrepiece of the exhibition is a reimagining of her father’s shop, brought vividly to life in neon. His presence permeates the space, not only visually but audibly, as recordings of his recollections of post-war India fill the gallery, adding a deeply personal layer to the narrative.
© IWM installation photograph of Chila Welcomes You at IWM North, showing close up of Cosmological World tapestry. Photo by Phil Chaplin.
Other standout works include striking activist statements covering entire walls, a neon depiction of the Rani of Jhansi—an emblematic figure of resistance against British rule—and a ‘corner shop’ installation that nods to the entrepreneurial spirit of many South Asian migrants. These elements, alongside Burman’s signature neon installations on the museum’s façade, create a sensory-rich experience that is as defiant as it is celebratory.
Corner Shop, LED neon lights, 2024 by Chila Kumari Singh Burman
“This commission brings together so many elements of my artistic practice… It’s an opportunity for me to bring to life important stories of resistance and defiance in my own personal way,” Burman reflects. Indeed, Chila Welcomes You is an invitation—to reflect, to celebrate, and to acknowledge the enduring impact of migration on Britain’s cultural landscape.
Open now at IWM North, this exhibition is a testament to the power of art in preserving and reimagining history, offering visitors a unique and engaging perspective on post-war migration through Burman’s distinctive, electrifying lens.
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Further Information:
Chila Burman Welcomes You is now on show at IWM until 31st August 2025
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Image Credits:
Lead Image: © IWM installation photograph of Chila Welcomes You at IWM North showing close up of Cosmological World tapestry. Photo by Phil Chaplin.
2/3/4: Phil Chaplin and IWM
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