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Dhaqan Collective

Dhaqan collective is a Somali feminist art collective led by Ayan Cilmi and Fozia Ismail.

Their practice seeks to find ways of building imaginative futures that support Somali people here and in East Africa to resist the threats over our cultural heritage. Cilmi and Ismail are Spike Island Studio holders & Pervasive Media Studio residents in Bristol.

The collective uses everyday materials, cassette tapes, food, textiles, to create spaces of communion, joy and healing that centre the full range of Somali diasporic experiences.

“Our practice asks and seeks to find ways of building imaginative futures that support Somali people here and in East Africa to resist the threats over our cultural heritage. We are a feminist art collective of Somali women, centering the voices of womxn and elders in our community, and privileging co-creation and collaboration.

Our creative ecology is rooted in the collective thinking of Somali nomadic life and the creativity at its heart. In the last few decades, Somali nomadic life has become endangered due to environmental collapse.”

 

 




Dhaqan Collective's Event Archive

Events

House of Weaving Songs - relaxed hour

2024-09-05
The House of Weaving Songs is a domed steel structure based on an Aqal, a...

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Events

Meet The Artists: Dhaqan Collective

2024-09-05
Visit the incredible Aqal and installation at the Old Engine Shed.  Ayan Cilmi and Fozia...

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Events

House of Weaving Songs

2024-09-05
The House of Weaving Songs is a domed steel structure based on an Aqal, a...

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Events

Acts of love and solidarity: Practice sharing with Dhaqan Collective and Counterpoints Arts

2024-09-07
Happening alongside b-side Festival, the gathering's primary aim is to continue to cultivate values of...

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Events

Materials of Practice - a conversation

2023-09-08
Join Fozia and Ayan from Dhaqan Collective, Ishwari and Leoni from Kneed and Antje Rook with...

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Projects Involving Dhaqan Collective

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project

Festival 2023



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project

Who Do We Think We Are? b-side festival 2024



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