top of page

Dhaga is the South Asian collective known for curating critically engaged exhibitions and intimate gatherings that people return to - drawn not just by the art, but by the feeling of home they find within it. Through exhibitions, art fairs, murals, workshops, and talk shows, Dhaga creates space for dialogue, experimentation, and visibility within the creative industry for South Asians.

In just 2 years Dhaga has gained recognition on BBC Radio 6 - a testament to the collective’s grassroots impact and cultural relevance. Their most notable collaborators include Daytimers and Club Kali - two pioneering forces in the British South Asian community.

With a growing network across digital platforms and irl, Dhaga continues to reimagine what inclusive, South Asian-led spaces can look and feel like today through a distinctly intersectional lens.

IMG_7801.JPG

TEST, TRY, TINKER

A space to explore, mess around, and make something with your hands. No experience needed, just curiosity. Bring your weird, your quiet, your in-progress self — and leave with something new (maybe even a friend).

Mirrored Perspectives
26/04/2025
UPCOMING
Henna
Tapestry making
08/02/2025
PAST
Tapestry
Make your mark
07/07/2024
PAST
Collage & collective singing
Taking Up Space in the City
28/10/2023
PAST
Collage
Space, Place & Belonging
19/10/2023
PAST
Freewriting
Knitted Narratives
20/08/2023
PAST
Knitting
Print & Quilt
20/08/2023
PAST
Print making & quilting
Sewing Solidarity with Mehfil
19/08/2023
PAST
Sewing
Decolonising the Closet
12/08/2023
PAST
Collage
Space, Place & Belonging
12/08/2023
PAST
Freewriting
Traditions of Healing
24/06/2023
PAST
Embroidery
Digital Renderings of Traditional Motifs
24/06/2023
PAST
Knitting Tech
What Would You Wear
24/06/2023
PAST
Fashion Design
Layered Landscapes
24/06/2023
PAST
Collage
Diminished Indian Embroideries
11/03/2023
PAST
Embroidery

Guest, For The Dreamers I

“What a wonderful event and community - this was my first event and I'll be sure to come to as many events as I can. Every single person I met was so interesting and open for a chat. No judgement, no competition, just a wonderful place to celebrate creativity, queerness, excellence and honest conversations. Thank you so much to the organisers for this engaging event (that also had food!)."
dreamers v4 for pics.00_21_18_01.Still017.jpg

FOR THE DREAMERS

No gatekeeping, no polished pitches — just real talk about making, breaking, and navigating the creative world. Come find your people.

FROM THE FOUNDER

I feel like life didn’t really start until Dhaga. Looking back, I don’t know how I went so long without such a loving and inspiring community. Even though you’ll see me out and about, I’m still very much an introvert, and I know how hard it can be to make friends—especially in a new city or country.

I moved to London in 2020, but I only really started living and experiencing the city in 2022. Then in 2023, Dhaga was born—a platform to amplify the work of South Asian visual artists and designers. In just two years, we’ve put together two sold-out exhibitions (featuring 46 artists in total) and hosted so many other amazing events.

Bringing people together in such an individualistic city is one of the things that brings me the most joy. And while I do this because I genuinely love it, I’ve also realized just how much it’s needed—not just in terms of amplifying South Asian art and design, but also creating third places for South Asian creatives. Spaces where we can meet, connect, and form meaningful IRL friendships.

Third places (places outside of work and home where people can gather) in general have been disappearing, which has only made loneliness worse, especially among young people. And at almost every Dhaga event, at least one person tells me how grateful they are to have found this community and how much it means to them.

That’s one of the main reasons I decided to design Dhaga’s first T-shirt. I wanted it to be more than just a piece of clothing. If you saw someone wearing one out in the world, you’d instantly have something in common—something to spark a conversation, just like at a Dhaga event. It’s a symbol of connection, a way to recognize each other in a city that can feel isolating.

It’s a little substitute for a permanent third place for South Asian creatives. And maybe, just maybe, it’s a step toward creating one in the future.

- Sarith Ratnayake

UNTIL WE MEET IRL <3

Get all Dhaga updates, upcoming events, and curated content delivered straight to your inbox. 
 

  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • TikTok

Copyright © 2024 Dhaga. All Rights Reserved

bottom of page