Meet the Collector: Embroidery Traditions of Afghanistan with Karun Thakar

Join collector Karun Thakar for a special event exploring Embroidery Traditions of Afghanistan at the SOAS Gallery.

The event will begin with a short introductory talk by Karun Thakar (approximately 15–20 minutes), in which he will discuss how he developed his collection of Afghan textiles and the stories behind it. Visitors will then have the opportunity to explore the exhibition at their own pace while Karun remains in the gallery to answer questions and discuss the objects on display.

Embroidery Traditions of Afghanistan showcases around 100 exceptional embroidered textiles from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, drawn from the Karun Thakar Collection and developed in collaboration with the V&A Museum. Bringing together garments, accessories, domestic furnishings and other embroidered objects from across Afghanistan's many cultural traditions, the exhibition highlights the extraordinary diversity, artistry and cultural significance of embroidery.

On display are embroidered works created by Hazara, Pashai, Pashtun, Tajik, Turkmen, Uzbek and other communities, revealing how embroidery has long expressed identity, status, belief and regional tradition. Highlights include rare nineteenth-century Arabachi coats, beautifully embroidered Mangal and Pashai garments, striking women's capes, an uncommon Kandahari face veil, richly decorated suzani textiles, and many other remarkable objects.

This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from the collector whose passion and expertise made this exhibition possible, while discovering the remarkable textile traditions of Afghanistan through one of the finest collections of its kind.

Event location and meeting point:

Registered attendees will receive an email with the event location and meeting point one day before the event.