A neighbourhood in east London has been adorned with a 'yarn bombing' installation.
Stratford Cross is showcasing the talent of the collective with their textile installation inspired by the techniques used in Black women’s hair styling.
The yarn bombing titled Braided Traditions: Common Threads is the brainchild of the East London Black Girl Knit Club (BGKC).
The imaginative display will deck out the Endeavour Square public viewing platform railings and steps until April 16, free for anyone to appreciate.
'Yarn bombing' refers to a type of street art that involves decorating public objects with knitted material.
The large-scale yarn adornments were created over a six-week period during which BGKC members attended workshops led by Korantema Anyimadu, founder of @BlackHairStories.
The members learnt techniques of arm knitting, which requires no needles, and reflected on their personal hair journeys.
The BGKC members upcycled industrial scaffolding material, ribbon, netting, rope and other repurposed textiles for the yarn bombing.
Some of the materials were sourced locally from textile reuse hubs Childrens Scrap Project and Yodomo, a company that finds waste materials suitable for crafting.
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A fresh set of yarn bomb tree designs will be introduced at Endeavour Square on January 16.
The tree designs are a collaborative effort between BGKC and five individual knitwear designers who responded to the same Braided Traditions: Common Threads theme.
The designs, which explore yarn textures and knitting techniques, are a visual representation of the designers’ personal relationship with the subject of 'hair'.
Sicgmone Kludje, co-founder of Black Girl Knit Club, said: "With its origins in subversive street art and political resistance, our yarn bomb takes its inspirational cue from the ever-changing, and creatively rich world of Black women’s hair.
"Referencing the photography of Okhai Ojeikere and inspired by the vivid colours and textures found in Black hair shops across east London.
"We wanted to reflect and showcase our members and their individual stories centred on their hair."
Since its launch in 2019, Black Girl Knit Club has been empowering Black women through craft, offering safe and inclusive spaces for creativity, learning and sharing life stories.
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