Su’s artwork expresses humanity and care to those escaping conflict. The Turkish maker – who grew up in Antioch, just 12 miles from the border with Syria – used a technique called hasir employed in Syrian carpet-making and involving layer upon layer of weaving. The process had disappeared in war-ravaged northern Syria, so the work became a way to give it new life, while offering a sense of belonging to those who are removed from their homes and cultural traditions. Su’s piece is a metaphorical gift; an act of generosity to those who have lost everything.
As my final contribution to this magazine before I leave the Crafts Council, the team asked me to look into our collection and choose a piece that sums up the power of making. At a challenging time for so many, this artwork is it. By taking a lost process and reviving it, Su speaks to the life-enhancing nature of craft. She shows how intrinsic it is to people’s identities and how it can connect people, even when they are far from their homes.