Cotton Trail Art

What happens when a piece of locally made Gambian cotton becomes a canvas?

That is the idea behind Cotton Trail Art.

The Gambia Cotton Trail was created to reconnect the different people and skills involved in producing cotton in The Gambia – from the farmers who grow it to the spinners, weavers, dyers and tailors who turn it into finished products. Art has become another part of that story.

Instead of simply being something to wear or use, the hand-woven cotton can become a canvas for Gambian artists to express themselves, tell stories and create something completely their own.

From cotton to canvas

Cotton Trail Art started in 2020, when a group of young Gambian artists were invited to experiment with locally produced cotton as a material for their art.

For many of them, painting on cotton was a new experience. With guidance from Gambian artist Njogu Touray and Norwegian artist Bjørg Thorhallsdottir, they explored different techniques and began developing their own ways of working with the fabric.

The idea was never simply to teach young talented artists, not only basic painting skills, but also how to paint on cotton.

It was about opening up another possibility: taking a locally produced material and turning it into something with artistic and commercial value.

Every piece starts with a story

The cotton used for the artwork has already travelled a long way in The Gambia before an artist picks up a brush.

It may have started with a farmer in eastern The Gambia, where cotton is grown during the rainy season. As we highlighted in our previous feature on the Gambia cotton process, the crop is then spun by hand by women in Njau before travelling towards the coast, where it is woven into fabric.

By the time it becomes a canvas, many people have already contributed to it. The artist adds another layer to that story.

The paintings are often inspired by Gambian life, culture, people, nature and everyday experiences. Each artist brings a different style and perspective, which is part of what makes the collection so varied.

Supporting artists

An important part of Cotton Trail Art is creating opportunities for Gambian artists.

The artists involved are encouraged to develop their own styles rather than producing identical work. They can take on assignments and commissions, creating artwork on Cotton Trail fabric for individuals, businesses and other projects.

The artwork also creates a direct connection between the artist and the people who buy it.

At Footsteps Eco Lodge in Gunjur, for example, Cotton Trail paintings are displayed in the rooms and available for guests to buy. As paintings are sold, they are replaced with new work, so the collection continues to change.

A living part of the Cotton Trail

Cotton Trail Art has continued to develop beyond its beginnings in 2020. Artists have taken part in workshops, created new collections and worked on commissions using Gambian cotton. The idea continues to be about experimentation: finding new ways to use the fabric, giving artists opportunities to develop their skills and creating products that can generate income locally.

It also adds another dimension to the Cotton Trail itself. The farmer grows the cotton. The spinner turns it into yarn. The weaver creates the fabric. And the artist transforms that fabric into something that can tell a story.

A piece of Cotton Trail Art is therefore more than a painting on cotton. It is a piece of Gambian cotton, made by Gambian producers, transformed by an artist – and another example of what can be created when local skills, materials and creativity are connected.

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