My Adornment Is My Power

My Adornment Is My Power is an exhibition centred around the decolonisation and reclamation of jewellery artefacts rooted in Empire.

The original exhibition was displayed at Kedleston Hall. This 18th century mansion was home to George Curzon, Viceroy of India from 1899-1905, and showcases numerous items he collected during his time in South Asia.

Curated by British Asian artist Anisha Parmar, whose jewellery line is inspired by heritage, this exhibition was sparked by a comment from George’s wife, Mary. When Mary met the Maharaja and Maharani of Jodhpur, she described the Maharani as a "painted jewelled female prisoner covered with emeralds." Anisha wanted to challenge this view and show that adornments can be a source of power, not oppression for South Asian women.

The exhibition includes pieces from George’s collection, Anisha’s own jewellery designs, and a special film called Shakti. The film, made by videographer Ofilaye, features dancer Kesha Raithatha performing to music and spoken word from the perspective of the Maharani, written by the Grewal Twins. There are also photographs of Kesha wearing pieces from the collection, for the first time in over 100 years.

This is a chance to learn about how art, history, and identity come together, and how jewellery can be a powerful statement of self-expression.

Anisha Parmar is jewellery designer, artist, curator and project producer who creates handcrafted jewellery inspired by her lived experience of the South Asian diaspora. Storytelling and narrative are at the heart of her practice, and she sees jewellery as a powerful tool to unlock histories and tell personal stories. She challenges cultural and heritage organisations through creative partnerships focusing on themes of decolonisation, reclamation and empowerment.