Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's Creative Resistance: A New Collaboration with Liberty and the Imperial War Museum

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who spent six years in detention in Iran, has launched a new project titled "Creativity in Conflict and Confinement" in collaboration with the Imperial War Museum (IWM) and Liberty. The project features three unique fabric designs that reflect her experiences during imprisonment, emphasizing creativity as a form of resistance. The launch event took place at the IWM, where Zaghari-Ratcliffe showcased a dress made from one of the new fabrics, "Passage of Time," which symbolizes the passage of life she observed from her prison cell.

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The collaboration draws on the historical significance of craftwork as a means of survival and dignity in times of conflict. Prof Sir Simon Wessely, an associate of the IWM, highlighted the longstanding connection between creativity and resilience, stating, “In the face of trauma and confinement, creativity helps restore agency, identity and hope.” The project aims to illustrate how individuals have historically turned to craft to process pain and reclaim their sense of self.

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The three new fabrics—"Passage of Time," "Obscured Landscape," and "Stitch and Community"—each convey different themes related to Zaghari-Ratcliffe's confinement. "Passage of Time" features motifs of nature and doves, while "Obscured Landscape" combines geometric patterns with sketches from war artist Anthony Gross. "Stitch and Community" is particularly personal, overlaying floral designs with private papers from military and prison contexts, representing the solidarity Zaghari-Ratcliffe felt with her fellow inmates.

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The new fabric designs are prominently displayed at the IWM and will be available for purchase as accessories, with a portion of the proceeds supporting the charity Fine Cell Work. This organization provides paid craftwork opportunities for individuals in prison, aiding their rehabilitation and reintegration into society. Zaghari-Ratcliffe emphasized the themes of hope and solidarity in the fabrics, stating, “These fabrics cover so many elements related to incarceration – the passage of time, hope, resilience – but more than anything else, solidarity.”

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Zaghari-Ratcliffe expressed pride in the project, noting, “We used to say, when I was in prison, that they can take away the world you live in, but they can’t take away what’s happening in your mind, your imagination and your creativity.” This sentiment underscores the project's core message of using creativity as a means of resistance against oppression.

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• “You might not have absolute freedom in your movement, but no one can control your imagination.” — Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe

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• “In the face of trauma and confinement, creativity helps restore agency, identity and hope. It has always been a way to process pain and reclaim resilience.” — Prof Sir Simon Wessely

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• “These fabrics cover so many elements related to incarceration – the passage of time, hope, resilience – but more than anything else, solidarity,” — Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe

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Zaghari-Ratcliffe's collaboration with Liberty and the IWM not only highlights her personal journey but also serves as a broader commentary on the power of creativity in overcoming adversity.

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