In this Lunchtime Talk, British Somali artist, Pervasive Media Studio resident and researcher Fozia Ismail will discuss her work on the multi-sensory installation A Song for the Xeedho - The Knot Makers.

2026 is the UN Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. Rangelands cover about half of the world’s land and hold diverse cultural heritages, indigenous knowledge and ways of living that have played an important role in preserving ecosystems. 

In this talk Fozia will talk about what the critically endangered Somali nomadic wedding basket tells us about human and non-human knowledge, memory and survival transmitted collectively, across generations through making and song.

About Fozia 

Fozia Ismail is British Somali artist and researcher. Central to her practice are objects inherited from her mother’s Somali nomadic roots, vessels, spices, textiles, cassette tapes, and sound recordings that are activated through collective use and transformed into sculptural, time‑based, and archival works foregrounding lineage, care, and shared authorship.

She recently presented A Song for Xeedho - The Knot Makers, a multi-sensory installation of wedding ropes, weavings, and knots as part of the inaugural Backyard Biennale celebrating 125 years of Whitechapel Gallery.

Join us online on YouTube Live, or in the building on Friday 25th September at 13:00 for the talk and to take part in the Q&A discussion afterwards. 

Want to support what we do at Watershed? Please consider donating, so we can bring you more talks like this.

The Pervasive Media Studio is a partnership between the Watershed, University of the West of England and University of Bristol. The lunchtime talks are partly supported by MyWorld, a project led by the University of Bristol to support creative industries in the region. Watershed is supported by Arts Council England.

Address:

Watershed, 1 Canon's Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX

Directions:

The Lunchtime talks take place in the Pervasive Media Studio Event Space. To access the Studio, please go to the Main Watershed Box Office entrance and go upstairs to the Café Bar. Walk across the cafe bar, turn right and walk towards the double doors. Go through into the corridor and walk all the way down until you reach the Studio. A member of staff will sign you in, and check your ticket, if you have booked.

The Studio is wheelchair accessible, and the events space has a hearing loop. The last talk of every month is BSL interpreted. 

For more information on accessing the studio take a look here.

*Please note this is a hybrid event and will be live streamed so please be aware you will be in the live broadcast and recording when watching in the Studio.