Fatema(Tapestry); [Author]

Hamida Begum; [Author]

Jannat Ara; [Author]

Setara Begum; [Author]

Shamsunahar; [Author]

Dream garden (embroidery)

Fultola (embroidery)

Embroidery (EMB)

Decorative

'The Rohingya people lived in nature. Flower gardens and trees surrounded us everywhere.'

— Rohingya women’s embroidery circle in camp 10 

Dream Garden memorialises Rohingya women’s gardens in rural Rakhine state. Consisting of individual panels embroidered with flower and garden wildlife motifs, this tapestry brings to life the beloved blooms and vivid colours of their traditional gardens in Myanmar. The idea for the tapestry originated in a women’s storytelling workshop in camp, in which they shared memories of the flowers they loved most, and spoke of the importance of flowers in traditional Rohingya embroidery. Fultola, the Rohingya word for embroidery, means 'making flowers' and Rohingya embroidery artists exclusively used garden motifs (flowers, vines, leaves, butterflies, etc.) to embellish pillowcases, headscarves, clothing, hand-fans, and other decorative items. 

To make the tapestry, each member of the embroidery circle drew an array of flowers on a separate panel. After creating individual pieces of work, the panels were stitched together into what they called their 'Dream Garden.' The experience was therapeutic: As they worked, they shared memories of how, sitting under the shade in open courtyards, they used to embroider together with friends and family. The tapestry represents the memory of better times and celebrates their traditional connection with nature. The embroidery artisans embroidered a greater variety of flowers than they traditionally would have, demonstrating their growth as artists. 

'Flowers are very special to us, especially to Rohingya women,' they said. 'We’re so happy to stitch our gardens and show our big Dream Garden to our people.'