Colours in the Field: Cotton, Empire, and Textile Practices

A special series of evening events offering rare access to works from the Whitworth’s internationally significant textiles collection. A special series of evening events offering rare access to works from the Whitworth’s internationally significant textiles collection, presented alongside Hyundai Translocal Series: Entangled and Woven. Each session combines expert insight with close-up study of textiles not usually on display, along with a screen printing workshop in our Clore Learning Studio conducted by Dr Arrianna Tozzi and artist Himanshi Parmar. 📅 Thursday 5 November 2026 ⏰ 6pm doors 6:00pm - 8:30pm 📍the Whitworth 🎟️ Book your free tickets now 🌟Donations help us to present world-class events and exhibitions for free. Please consider making a donation with your ticket if you can. Dr Arianna Tozzi and artist Himanshi Parmar explore the themes of cotton, empire, and agroecology in relation to Hyundai Translocal Series: Entangled and Woven. Combining artistic practices based on natural pigments, archival and oral history research with women farmers in India, the session explores the role of textile arts in unearthing complex colonial histories and narrating alternative futures. Participants will be invited to connect with the research through a hands-on screen-printing workshop, crafting their own artistic response using natural pigments and cotton from the region. About the venue The Whitworth is an accessible venue with facilities to support you during your visit, and alongside this our visitor team will be on hand to assist you in the gallery. Find out more about planning your visit to the Whitworth and accessibility information for you. If you’d like to speak to a team member about any access or additional needs, please get in touch with the gallery and we will be happy to assist you. Contact: [email protected] or telephone: 0161 275 7450. The Whitworth The Whitworth art gallery and gardens is driven by a mission to work with communities to use art for positive social change, and actively addresses what matters most in people’s lives. We are proudly part of The University of Manchester, operating as a convening space between the University and the people of the city. Our exhibitions and events are free and open to everyone. If you’re able to, you can now add an optional donation when booking your ticket through Eventbrite. Every contribution, big or small, helps us continue to provide free access to art, creativity and culture for our community. Thank you for your support. Image Credit: Courtesy of Himanshi Parmar.