Traces: Stories of Migration explores the experiences of communities affected by migration and the memories accumulated as people journey from one place to another. It considers the trajectory as a state of being that amasses signifiers in the form of layers, which punctuate a state of transition; from one place to another, from a period in life to another, to new languages, cultures, and convictions, as well as physical marks left across geological times as humans progress through life.  

The migrant history of the East End rag trade provides the economic, cultural and historic context for ‘Traces: Stories of Migration’ and builds on sustainable and socially inclusive textile practices across East London, and elsewhere in the UK. The community engagement phase of the project is undertaken in partnership with local community organisations in East London in the boroughs of London Boroughs of Newham and Tower Hamlets and project managed by the Portal Centre for Social Impact. Participant recruitment was undertaken via an open-call, social media, posters and flyers across partner channels. 

The project methodology is articulated through a programme of hands-on workshop activities that encourage the realisation of distinctive creative outcomes by participants and members of the team. A Community Activity Book is the key-resource used to deliver a seven-week programme. Oral and visual mapping, text-based storytelling and textile-based practice in group settings with trained facilitators as its main methods, where participants shared personal narratives and textile knowledge, ultimately creating unique ‘Story Cloths’ that figuratively or conceptually depicted familial or personal migration experiences. 

The medium of textiles is a common artistic expression through which the participants and team are creatively empowered. The stitched motifs reflect migrant histories and give visibility to a myriad of personal trajectories through life. The learning and experimenting with tactic textile techniques encourages ways in which fabric and stitch can be uniquely expressive and inclusive and recognises the creative value of diversity through each persons’ lived experience. 

‘Traces: Stories of Migration’ builds on Professor Lucy Orta’s ongoing socially engaged practice and commitment to creating platforms for marginalised voices to be heard, and particularly the visualisation of migrant histories using textiles as a medium. The project intends to respond to the experiences and aspirations of cultural minorities, to reverse the often-negative narrative around migration, and to activate positive change in our communities. As a measure of impact, qualitative data regarding the effect of participatory art methods on the identity, sense of belonging and self-development of first and second-generation migrants has been published as in a final evaluation report (Fulton, Orta, 2024).