Bridging Cultures Through Art: The Botanical Gardens' Inks, Pigments & Plants Event

On the 30th of June 2024, I had the privilege to be invited, as a student ambassador, to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens to be a part of a workshop on inks, pigments and plants and further exploration of Islamic manuscripts as part of Culture Forward’s Qur’an in the City project. The event was organised in collaboration with the MIAH Foundation, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and the University of Birmingham. My role involved setting up the workshop space, welcoming attendees, supporting participants, and documenting the event from a student’s perspective.

The Ink and Pigment workshop was centred around the history of sourcing and making of inks and pigments in the medieval period and how they were used by the medieval artists of the Islamic world. It was fascinating to understand how the entire colour palette to create the medieval manuscripts was inspired by nature. We were shown how different natural minerals, rocks, and plants were used to create inks, pigments and dyes to illustrate decorative Islamic manuscripts. Witnessing the tactility of the process from the beginning to the end made it evident how the medieval Islamic artists held onto making and using these natural colours even after the invention of the printing press.

It’s been almost nine months since I moved to Birmingham from India to pursue my MA in Art History and Curating. Over these nine months, it's been fascinating for me to understand and immerse myself in the UK's art scene. But what I didn’t realise before attending this event is how much I missed connecting with my own culture and community on a creative level. With an undergrad in Fine Arts, I have always been drawn to the various textile mediums, natural dye making, and alternative ways of printing, and this workshop reignited my memories of making natural dyes with locally sourced materials during my university days back in India.

The Arabic calligraphy workshop and the trail walk around the garden were particularly special as I got to talk to the participants and connect with them interpersonally. Talking with South Asian participants reminded me of the familiar kindness of our culture, making me feel right at home in a way I hadn’t realised I needed.

The event offered something for everyone. Francesco Falciani, the designated photographer for the event, expressed excitement about applying the natural dye-making techniques in his professional practice, particularly in creating anthotypes—a natural dye-based alternative photographic process. While I felt at home through the conversations I had, Zoha, a six-year-old attendee, said that she simply liked watching the paints being made. The simplicity of Zoha’s response made me realise how important and impactful these events are for us to reconnect with our local communities through art and nature.

Reflecting on the day, I am grateful for the opportunity to help organise and participate in such a meaningful event, which not only enriched my understanding of medieval Islamic art but also reconnected me to my cultural roots, reminding me of the importance of community and creativity in our lives.