National Glass Centre was host to London-based artist Chila Burman last week as part of a collaborative artist community project between National Glass Centre, Audiences North East, Iniva and Sangini.
Liverpool born Burman usually works in photography and photomontage, graphics, video, sound, installation and performance. Her work challenges stereotypical assumptions of Asian women and is informed by popular culture, Bollywood, fashion, Hindu philosophy, Indian comics, mythology, music, and “her mum.”
As well as having a chance to develop her own artworks in glass alongside the NGC team of artists; Burman delivered a range of glass workshops, based on her unique style, to local community groups.
The project was supported by Audiences North East's Maximise initiative, which is providing financial and expert help in testing ways of developing audiences for black, Asian and minority ethnic arts.
Sunderland based Bangladeshi women’s group, Sangini, participated in workshops with Burman, trying their hand at a range of craft-based glass activities such as glass painting and mosaics. Asma Bigum who runs the group said “Many of the ladies attending the craft sessions had never worked with glass before, this gave them a real opportunity to use their skills whilst trying out a new material”