Bharti Parmar
Honorary Research Fellow
Department of Art History, Curating and Visual Studies
Dr Bharti Parmar is an Honorary Research Fellow and a UK artist with focuses upon vernacular crafts and systems.
Art Materials and Empire
In this event, Dr Bharti Parmar and art historian Dr Kate Nichols explore the connections between art materials and empire, past and present.
- DateWednesday, 7 October 2026 (16:15 - 17:30) (UK)
- FormatOnline and in person
- LocationLecture Theatre 2 (room G11), Alan Walters Building, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2SB
Bharti Parmar, Lexicon. Punched drawing on khadi paper, 76 x 56 cms, ©Bharti Parmar 2021. Khadi. British Textile Biennial, Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery. Photo Harry Meadley.
Where do art materials come from? Who was involved in their extraction and processing? What ecologies, labour relations, and colonial power dynamics do these materials embody? Join artist Dr Bharti Parmar and art historian Dr Kate Nichols to explore the connections between art materials and empire, past and present.
Each speaker will reflect on how their work considers the relationship between art materials and imperialism, followed by a conversation and Q&A. Parmar will discuss her engagement with cotton, while Nichols examines the varnishes and oils used by Victorian artists. Together, we will consider the new stories we might tell about art works if we take seriously the stuff that they are made from.
This event is part of the nationwide Art History Festival organised by the Association for Art History.
Event will be followed by drinks reception between 17.30-18.30 in the Mason Lounge, Arts Building, University of Birmingham.
This is a hybrid event and requires registration to attend online. No need to register if attending on campus.
Dr Kate Nichols
Associate Professor in Art History
Department of Art History, Curating and Visual Studies
Dr Kate Nichols is an Associate Professor in Art History and an art historian of Britain and the British Empire with particular focus on the Victorian period.
Location
Address
Lecture Theatre 2 (room G11)Alan Walters BuildingUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2SB