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...

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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.

Image 2: IWM and Phil Chaplin