Aadaab KELKE,IŁĆ
Aadaab KELKE,IŁĆ (I pay my respects to you, Wild Rose) is presented at Open Space as part of the Contemplating Change (2025) exhibition. Aadaab KELKE,IŁĆ is a community-engaged textile work that has been bringing together primarily Indigenous and South Asian/Persian heritage communities. I hosted stitching circles, inviting people to slow down, connect and create art in community while grounding with rose medicine. Basic embroidery stitches are shared as folks embroider an Urdu poem by Mirza Ghalib about grief and joy encircled by KELKE,IŁĆ (Nootka roses). This project is funded by CRD Equity Grant and Open Space Arts Society.
with Aisha Haq, Alison Shields, Amena Sharmin, Anahita Ranjbar, Aneri Garg, Bri Godsman, Cairo Haq, Calle Joseph-Sampson, Chris Haq, Claire Hutton, Corrie Peters, Dahlila Charlie, Doug Jarvis, Farideh Bozorg, Gagan Leekha, Gail Boulger, Gerry Ambers, Heather Martin, Jam Ramjattan, Karissa Chandrakate, Katy Biele, Kendra Page, Khalilah Alwani, Laylee Rohani, Letitia Annamalai, Lily Crocker, Lisa M. Gookooo’koo, Liz Bean, Lorilee Wastasecoot, Mahshid Babaeimahani, Mandeep Kaur Mucina, Martin French, Matty Cervantes, Michelle Luiz, Muneera Wallace, Natalie Rollins, Paolino Caputo, Priyanka Lopez, Rita Dhamoon, Roshni Narain, Samihah Patel, Sarah Jim, Setareh Mohammadi, Shantelle Voyager, Shawna Kiesman, Sheila Alonzo, Shobhana Xavier, Stella Charlie, Stephanie Gabel, Sujatha Patira, Serena Bandar, Supriya Crocker, Taylor Pannell, Teresa Vander Meer-Chassé, Tiffany Joseph, Valerie Sing Turner, Yasmine Kandil
Image Credit: Cairo Haq, Amena Sharmin, Bri Godsman
For the raindrop, joy is becoming the sea.
Unbearable pain becomes its own cure.
Travel far enough into sorrow, tears turn to sighing.
In this way, we see how water becomes air.
After the heavy rain, the storm clouds disperse.
Is it not that they’ve wept themselves clear to the end?
If you want to know the miracle; how wind can polish a mirror,
Look: the shining grass grows green in spring.
It’s the rose’s unfolding that creates the desire to see.
In every colour and circumstance, may the eyes be open for what comes.
-Mirza Ghalib
ishrat-e-qatra hai dariyā meñ fanā ho jaanā
dard kā had se guzarnā hai davā ho jaanā
zo.af se girya mybaddal ba-dam-e-sard huā
bāvar aayā hameñ paanī kā havā ho jaanā
hai mujhe abr-e-bahārī kā baras kar khulnā
rote rote ġham-e-furqat meñ fanā ho jaanā
ta ki tujh par khule ejāz-e-havā-e-saiqal
dekh barsāt meñ sabz aa.ine kā ho jaanā
bakhshe hai jalva-e-gul zauq-e-tamāshā
'ghālib'
chashm ko chāhiye har rañg meñ vā ho
jaanā
- Mirza Ghalib