View the latest artwork to be displayed in Milton Keynes - and read the story behind it
A ‘powerful’ new artwork has been created for MK as a tribute to the strength of Pakistani women who defied oppression.
“They Spoke: And We Rose” is the work of Farina Noorani, resident artist at the city’s Westbury Arts Centre Studio in Shenley Wood.
It is deliberately made of fragile materials – recycled paper, cardboard, and papier-mâché – that become stronger when bonded together.
This symbolism honours Pakistani women who broke barriers, championed education and identity, and transformed personal and communal struggles into nationwide inspiration.
Many of these trailblazers have faced violence, survived oppression, and risen to earn global recognition, including international awards and prestigious accolades such as the Nobel Prize, says Farina, who created the work as part of Milton Keynes Rose Craftivism Project.
“This pillar is both a tribute and a reminder that lasting change begins when even one voice dares to be heard. The fragile materials mirror the resilience of these women — individually vulnerable, yet collectively unbreakable,” she said.
The piece has been created for a special community-wide project in which local crafters and artists were invited to design artwork to decorate the pillars of the Milton Keynes Rose.
Participants were encouraged to work in craft-based media such as embroidery, papercraft, woodwork, pottery, mixed media, or woolcraft.
The Craftivism Project supports two major global campaigns: White Ribbon Day 2025 -We Speak Up and Orange the World - Ending Violence Against Women.
It also aligns with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an international movement running from 25 November to 10 December 2025.
This was originally a call for crafters to create a decoration for a pillar at MK Rose, but due to weather and other constraints, this then evolved into a photographic exhibition.
All the pillar decorations by the crafters were photographed by students at MK College, which will now be exhibited at centre:mk in Midsummer Arcade (alongside John Lewis) from today (November 25) to December 10.
After the official opening by MK Mayor Cllr James Lancaster at 5.30, people will walk to the Milton Keynes Rose where the annual Vigil commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls will take place at 6pm.