Weaving Studio: Mahawa Keita

Mahawa Keita presents a Weaving Studio as part of Ikon’s exhibition Thread the Loom (25 June – 7 September 2025). 

Keita is one of five West Midlands weavers who operate an AVL Studio Dobby loom, on loan from Birmingham City University (BCU), establishing a functioning weaving workshop and producing original textiles. The micro-residencies champion a ‘learning by doing’ approach, through which visitors can observe, engage with and participate in traditional and contemporary art and craft practices. Full schedule available here. 

This exhibition is supported by Jerwood Foundation, Cotton Textiles Research Trust, The Saintbury Trust and Freelands Foundation. 

About the artist

Mahawa Keita is a textile artist whose practice explores personal and communal narratives through yarn, structure, texture and colour. She uses textiles as a means to connect with people and their stories, raising awareness of issues that impact different communities. 

Working with sustainable materials, Keita incorporates knit, crochet, macramé and hand embroidery to create both large and small sculptural pieces. Her work is deeply rooted in storytelling, weaving together themes of identity, relationships and shared experiences.