Malgorzata Mirga-Tas

An insightful and much-needed introduction to the life and work of Małgorzata Mirga-Tas, a textile artist dedicated to celebrating the vibrant heritage of the Romani community. Małgorzata Mirga-Tas (b.1978) is a Romani artist and activist who is best known for her colourful textile collages. Made from materials gathered from family and friends, and often created in collaboration with other women, these works depict the everyday life of the Romani people to challenge stereotypical representations and form what she calls ‘microcarriers of history’. This fascinating introduction explores the life and work of Mirga-Tas, contextualising her practice within Romani culture and the community in which she was raised. Bringing attention to the Romani people – their relationships, alliances and shared activities – through her visual storytelling, she also re-imagines artworks from across the centuries that have presented Romani identity in negative ways and transforms them into vibrant images imbued with strength and dignity. These works, informed by her feminist perspective and a sustained engagement with her community, combine realism with visual motifs of Romani culture, and offer a rare opportunity to see and celebrate the Roma on their own terms – both as a contemporary community and as a people with a rich heritage.