Sir William Harpur Gallery – Free Entry

22 November 2026 – 13 June 2027

Tuesday to Saturday: 11am -5pm
Sunday: 2pm -5pm

Amina Pagliari’s exhibition explores the cultural, political and economic significance of the Paisley motif. Originating in Kashmir, the pattern gained international recognition through colonial trade and British industrial manufacturing, particularly in the Scottish town of Paisley. Bringing together artworks, textiles, film, historical artefacts and community-led participatory projects, the exhibition examines how the motif has evolved across cultures and time. It considers the lasting impact of empire, migration and commodification, while exploring how ornament can preserve cultural memory, express identity and be reclaimed within contemporary visual culture.

About the Artist:
Amina Pagliari is an artist and set designer based between Bedford and Watford.
Specialising in three -dimensional mixed -media installations, her practice explores
decoloniality, unpacking histories of the British Empire from a contemporary perspective.
Pagliari holds a first -class degree in Fine Art from Loughborough University, where she was
also awarded the Edward Sharpe Prize Fund. Since then, she has exhibited work across
London, Loughborough, and Bedford, including the Five Pillars: Lived Experiences, New
Futures exhibition and the Affordable Art Fair. Additionally, Pagliari was awarded the
Heritage Horizons Grant facilitated by the University of Bedfordshire.
Instagram: @artbypagliari