Dhaga is a multi-disciplinary South Asian creative collective.
Exploring South Asian heritage, restoring social and environmental sustainability and stretching the boundaries of visual art and design.
WHY WE'RE HERE
There is a need for more spaces online and in-person for people in our community to feel safe being their authentic selves. Spaces where we can exchange our most vulnerable stories and also our joy to form meaningful connections so that we can grow together.
OUR MISSION
01: Extend the safer space for South Asian visual artists/designers to grow their practice and collaborate and engage with new audiences
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02: Create inclusive spaces for the South Asian diaspora to celebrate their heritage and intersectionality and encourage new talent
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03: Develop public knowledge of South Asian art, culture and sustainable design practices
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04: Inspire genuine connections that will enhance the collective effort to restore healthy societal structures and the environmental health of our planet
OUR PLANS
Our main focus for this year is designing 'Sustainable Futures' - an exhibition exploring social sustainability through the stories of the South Asian Diaspora in celebration of South Asian Heritage month 2023.
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We will also be hosting several events across London, details to be announced.
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Find us on Instagram, TikTok and Youtube for a glimpse of our past events and to find out about future events and opportunities.
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To be the first to hear about new opportunities and upcoming events you can sign up to our mailing list through this form.
If you would like us to organise an event in your area/in collaboration with your organisation please email info@dhaga.art
ABOUT THE FOUNDER AND CURATOR
Sarith Ratnayake is an artist, designer, DJ and the founder of Dhaga. Inspired by the rise of underground South Asian music culture (at Daytimers events and festivals such as Going South) and recognising the lack of community and representation in the art and design industry, she founded Dhaga to create a platform for South Asian visual artists and designers.
Exploring themes of mental health and queer culture within the South Asian diaspora, she is focused on visualising stories that are rarely discussed in her culture. She was born and raised in Sri Lanka and has lived in Australia and travelled across Asia and Europe before moving to the UK. Her academic background is in Product Design with a MA in Sustainable Design from Kingston University London and a BEng (Hons) in Product Design and Manufacture from the University of Nottingham. She has worked as a Development Engineer at Worcester Bosch and as a Product Designer for Virtusa, SyscoLABS and 3D Concept Studio.
Her artwork is currently exhibited at the New Art Exchange and has been exhibited at Boomer Gallery. Her work is also published in the Pardesi zine and in the Femme Fatale Gals zine. She directed and managed the 2020/21 MA Sustainable Design Graduate Showcase in collaboration with Camden Council for London Design Festival 2021.
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