Ayesha Ali’s story

The piece “Hamara Kumbal”, meaning “The Blanket” utilizes a seemingly mundane household item into something far more sentimental. The blanket itself is a familiar design, bought and stored in many Desi households like mine, each with a different story. Whether it be a childhood memory, a symbol of family, or simply the comfort of home. “Hamara Kumbal” is a physical representation of my own experiences with it, particularly a recreation of my Grandmother’s sewing table back home. Small symbols like the warm colors I used, her reading glasses, or chai she’d spilled or left for too long all bring back a sense of meaning for those with similar memories. The point of my painting wasn’t just to recreate a childhood memory of mine, it was to connect with others’ shared experiences of how culture and similarity bring by memories we’ll never forget.