About

The work of Winchester-based Textile Artist/Researcher Jennifa Chowdhury explores contemporary expressions of identity, heritage, and belonging, with specific reference to British-Bengali-Muslim experiences. Her visual language draws from the diverse influences of Islamic geometric patterns, where the proportions linked to Islamic philosophy and metaphysical dimensions are critical to her textile practice. Light, shadow, and movement are fundamental to her process-driven creative practice. Her work encapsulates childhood memories and cultural identities, both public and personal, while embracing Bengali, Western, and Muslim cultures.

The overarching aim of Chowdhury's work is to integrate creative processes to explore themes of displacement and cultural concerns through the lens of "Cultural Translation" theories. By investigating Islamic geometric patterns known for their symmetry and proportion, her research sheds light on how abstraction reflects cultural negotiations in the works of diasporic artists, revealing insights into personal identity and acts of cultural appropriation from more traditional practices.

Chowdhury holds a BA (Hons) in Textile Design from Nottingham Trent University and an MA in Textiles from the University for the Creative Arts. She is a Member of the prestigious Society of Designer Craftsmen and is currently studying for a PhD at the University for the Creative Arts, titled "Constructing Identity: Contemporary Expressions of British-Bengali-Muslim Heritage through Pattern and Ornamentation."