Amulets, Islam and Memory: Channeling Power in Times of Great Need
Hands on with Red Dirt Workshop
ONLINE EVENT
In this workshop, Red Dirt Studio artists, Diana N’Diaye and Alison Kysia, will share their evolving dialogue about art, Islam and social justice through the creation of memorable amulets.
Event Details
In this workshop, Red Dirt Studio artists, Diana N’Diaye and Alison Kysia, will share their evolving dialogue about art, Islam, and social justice. Diana’s art practice has long included amulets, and after Alison recently lost a loved one, she asked Diana to help her make something to hold her powerful memories. In a world that is clearly suffering, Diana and Alison want others to make amulets as a practice of community empowerment. As two Muslim women intellectuals and artists, Diana and Alison will share inspiring and educational stories to springboard your own design.
Materials Needed (makes two to three amulets):
- For whom are you making an amulet? Make a list of two or three people.
- For each person on your list, what inspires your amulet design? What do you want to include in the amulet? You can use one or all of these suggestions: poem, handwritten letter, picture, song lyrics, line drawing, scripture, or dirt from a special place (we do not suggest flowers or anything that will decompose over time)
- Fabric: ornate or plain, 8 x 12 in. or fabric scraps like a quilters packet
- Paper: ornate or blank, 8 x 12 in.
- Needle and thread, preferably embroidery thread
- Thin leather, string, or ribbon to be used as a necklace, 1-1 ½ yards
- Glue (fabric or regular)
Red Dirt is a warehouse studio and incubator for a small group of independently practicing artists and creative professionals, from fresh out of school to nationally known. They share resources, offer critical feedback and push each other toward greater professionalism in work. It’s a space for projects, ideas and community exchange.
