ADFAS Narrabri – Khayamiya : A History of the Egyptian Tentmakers

Khayamiya : A History of the Egyptian Tentmakers
Sam Bowker
The Crossing Theatre, arrivals at 6.30pm for a 7pm start 

With needles, scissors and thimbles, the Tentmakers of Cairo sew spectacular walls of colour. These ‘Khayamiya’ appliques are used to decorate the streets of Egypt, transforming public spaces into vibrant ceremonial pavilions. They inspired the paper cut-outs of Henri Matisse, were collected as souvenirs by the ANZACs, and are now an endangered art form in Egypt. To survive, it must be seen by audiences who appreciate the value of skilled hands, living heritage, and dazzling colour.  A rare opportunity to see Egypt’s most exhilarating form of street art.

Dr Sam Bowker is the Senior Lecturer in Art History and Visual Culture at Charles Sturt University. Beyond developing Australia’s leading ‘Islamic art and design’ subject for university students, he has curated diverse international exhibitions and published widely on the history of Khayamiya Egyptian tentmaker applique.

ADFAS Narrabri