Botanical Art – Weaving Untold Stories Of Heritage

Hounslow Action for Youth presents: A Young People’s Exhibition & Botanical Art Workshops.

Join us for a powerful exploration of resilience, heritage, and nature through art. This exhibition and workshop series brings to life the incredible stories of Marina Dellap and Catharine MacCartney—two 18th-century women who survived enslavement, servitude, and cross-continental displacement. Their botanical knowledge, rooted in the plants they grew up with, helped shape Hounslow’s rich horticultural heritage.

The Exhibition:

Textile artworks created by the young people of Hounslow Action for Youth in collaboration with artist Jaixia Blue. Featuring works from renowned embroidery artist Tihara Smith and sculpture by emerging artist Alizah Choudary.

Explore how plants, textiles, and storytelling can bridge the past and present, reconnecting us with histories that are often left untold. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience history through art, craft, and storytelling!

Featuring Award Winning Artists & Heritage Practitioners:

Jaixia Blue is a multidisciplinary storyteller whose textile art explores themes of home, identity, and ecology, rooted in her Mixed Caribbean heritage. As a singer-songwriter and sound healer, she crafts ethereal compositions which foster peace, ensuring both herself and others feel seen and heard through her lyrics. In this project, Jaixia will lead eco-printing textile workshops, using flowers and plants to weave the stories of Marina and Catherine. Join her to learn new skills and create beautiful, heritage-inspired artworks.

Tihara Smith is a fashion designer, textile artist, and founder of a brand inspired by Caribbean heritage and the Windrush story. Passionate about design and cultural storytelling, she creates distinctive fashion, accessories, and lifestyle pieces that celebrate Caribbean influences. Through her work, Tihara shares the rich history and artistry of the Caribbean, allowing people to carry a piece of that legacy with them.

Jacqueline Crooks is the award-winning author of Fire Rush, a novel exploring themes of heritage, womanhood, and resilience. She writes stories and novels that delve into the connections between women and their cultural roots. In this project, Jacqueline will lead life-writing workshops, guiding participants to write stories inspired by Marina and Catharine, while also reflecting on their own histories and experiences.

Nadège is a heritage professional and historian with postgraduate qualifications in Museum Studies, Egyptian Archaeology, and Ancient History. As the lead heritage advisor for this project, she is helping young people uncover and piece together the life stories of Marina and Catharine through archival research. Nadège will also support the development of a Youth Archive, ensuring that these important histories are preserved and shared for future generations.

Freya is a set designer known for her innovative and immersive stage environments that enhance storytelling through thoughtful design. She has collaborated with various theatre companies, contributing to productions that explore diverse narratives and cultural themes. Freya’s approach to set design is characterised by her ability to create spaces that reflect the emotional and cultural contexts of the narratives. Her work demonstrates a keen understanding of how physical environments influence storytelling, immersing audiences in the world of the play.

Website: hounslowconnect.com
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