Suzani is an embroidered fabric, named after Persian word for “needle”, characterized by vivid, contrasting colours and patterns, which are symmetrically arranged. The most popular motives include floral forms, circular medallions and rosettes. There are fixed composition types and colours schemes specific to towns (for example: Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Nuraty, Ferghana, Khujand). Still, each fabric manifests the imagination of embroiderer.

According to tradition, young girls, accompanied by the women of the family, work on suzani, which would later became an important part of their dowries. Nowadays, it still plays a role in wedding ceremonies in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. But most of all, these fabrics are used to decorate the interiors of the Central Asian homes. They are also a source of inspiration for designers, as exemplified by Anna Suzani Studio’s furniture.

The exhibition showcases folkloric suzani decorated with floral motives from Tajikistan and various types from Uzbekistan. Also on display are rare fabrics with figural representations from Boysun (Surkhandarya province, Uzbekistan), Tuskiz fabrics that decorate nomadic yurts in Kazakhstan and Tajik women traditional dresses kurtai chakan, adorned with patterns similar to those of a suzani.

Curator: Karolina Krzywicka

Honorary Patronage: Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan