Adinkra Textile Printing Workshop

Learn how to create our own Adinkra printed textile as part of the opening exhibition at Loughborough’s new community-led arts venue, The Generator.

Learn about the textile craft of Adinkra printed cloth and the significance of symbols and identity attributed to the Akan people of West Africa regions such as Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. Traditionally, symbols were printed on ceremonial cloth to convey messages of power, respect and farewell. Other symbolic meanings include wisdom, understanding, patience and adaptability, for example. Today, Adinkra prints are popular across West Africa and the African diaspora, with fabrics being transformed into colourful and meaningful attire.

You will experience hands-on block printing with authentic Adinkra wooden blocks, then explore creating your own symbols of meaning. Selected outcomes of this workshop will be exhibited at 'Our Very Fabric' exhibition at The Generator, which will celebrate all things fabric.

This workshop will be led by Pasha Kincaid, Community Engagement Coordinator at The Generator in Loughborough town centre. It is a collaboration between The Generator and Diverse Voices in Textiles at Loughborough University, Co-Founder, Dr Kerri Akiwowo, School of Design and Creative Arts and is supported by LU Arts.

'Our Very Fabric' will be open at The Generator from 24 April until 29 May.