Sanna Cham

My degree project explores identity through my cultural background from Sweden and Gambia. By delving into historical archives, I have explored techniques, colours, stories, music, and materials to incorporate them into my design. Using data collection and other sources of information, I have allowed myself to be inspired by various elements and have created my own interpretation where the two cultures collaborate. My attempt at collaboration between my two cultures has not been entirely simple, which also reflects my reality of feeling rootless between cultures, which is common for many with a multicultural background.

As a musician, music has been a central source of inspiration for me, where I use rhythms in the technique and blend materials to weave together Gambian and Swedish traditions. The reuse of materials and an exploratory process are what the work has largely consisted of. Historical ways of creating, such as folk art, and the values embodied by folk art, serve as a powerful inspiration for this project, in particular the aesthetics closely linked to the spirit of folk art, such as the simple and practical aspects that interact with decorative elements.