Handmade gifts for Games athletes completed
Craftspace has completed 4,600 gifts ahead of athletes arriving to compete in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Each athlete will receive a handmade gift as a token of friendship creating a meaningful exchange from one human to another.
Presented by the Birmingham 2022 Festival, the 4600 Gifts project has reimagined the idea of Birmingham as 'the workshop of the world ' creating a social, resourceful, inclusive and empowering production line using locally sourced materials and skills to create the gifts.
Over 3,500 people have taken part in over 100 citywide making sessions, crafting alongside strangers, friends, family members, neighbours, colleagues and fellow pupils.
4600 Gifts is being showcased at The Library of Birmingham until 9 July.
Deirdre Figueiredo, director of Craftspace said: “The act of making a gift for an athlete of a commonwealth country is like an act of reparation, and made by many hands, 4600 Gifts celebrates still thriving craft skills in our communities today.
“With the cost of living rising the project shows how we can make meaningful gifts from the things around us and through making something of our city and by the people of our city we hope to create a meaningful welcome to Birmingham. ”
The first Gift is being presented to Ama Agbeze MBE in a special ceremony at the Library of Birmingham where a selection of the Gifts are on display along with accompanying messages written to welcome athletes to Birmingham.
The England netball international & B2022 Board member said: “I 'm honoured to receive this first Gift, I was fortunate enough to work with Craftspace, alongside my colleague, Sarah-Jane Perry from the Athlete Advisory Committee, to talk about the importance of welcome and exchange, and how an organisation like Craftspace that is focused on making, could create something that reflected Birmingham and its people as opposed to something commercially mass produced. I think these gifts will add to what I know will be a memorable experience for the athletes competing from across the Commonwealth. ”
Craftspace collaborated with artists Pottinger + Cole, Laura Nyahuye, Mahawa Keita and Kalandra McFarquhar to develop a concept for the gifts with ideas of upcycling, resourcefulness and the power of 'do-it-together ' in mind.
The gift comprises two metal washers which are hand decorated by wrapping, knotting, sewing, plaiting and crocheting with fabric, yarns, threads and beads. The two washers are then joined together to symbolise friendship and connection between people and cultures.
All materials were sourced locally and the colours chosen reflect the flags of the Commonwealth nations and territories.
The Gifts will be included in each athlete 's Welcome Pack on arrival in Birmingham.
4600 Gifts is presented by the Birmingham 2022 Festival and generously funded by Arts Council England and the National Heritage Lottery Fund.
Find out more about the Craftspace project: https://craftspace.co.uk/4600gifts/