Black Country Digital Firsts: Introducing Daya Bhatti
This profile is part of our Meet the Next Cohort series which introduces the artists and collectives selected for the second round of Black Country Digital Firsts. Each participant is exploring bold digital ideas that push creative boundaries and expand access to culture in the region.
Introducing: Daya Bhatti
Artist and storyteller Daya Bhatti is developing an innovative project that merges textiles and technology to explore South Asian narratives. Her work reimagines traditional forms and materials through digital methods, creating sensory and immersive experiences that reshape how audiences connect with heritage and contemporary identity.
What inspired you to apply for Black Country Digital Firsts and how did you hope it would impact your creative practice?
I had recently started exploring how technology could weave into my artistic practice, experimenting with these ideas during a residency through small-scale prototypes. This commission offered the time, resources, and mentoring I needed to bring those ideas to life on full scale. It’s allowed me to expand my practice by creating more sensory experiences that enrich my storytelling around South Asian narratives.
Can you share a little about the project you are working on and why you feel it is particularly bold or imaginative?
I am creating a sari that merges textiles and technology to tell stories. It’s bold because it reimagines a traditional garment as a living, interactive artwork blending heritage with innovation and inviting audiences to engage in new ways.
How do you believe fostering digital creativity can contribute to the cultural landscape of the Black Country?
It can open up new and innovative ways of storytelling, allowing artists to reinterpret local and global histories through digital forms. This kind of creativity helps connect communities, making it more interactive and accessible.
What has been the most valuable lesson or insight you have gained from the mentoring and advice sessions provided through Black Country Digital Firsts?
The most valuable insight has been learning to view my work as an experience thinking about how people engage, respond, and connect with what I create.
In what ways do you think Black Country Digital Firsts can amplify diverse voices and perspectives within the Black Country?
“Digital Firsts can bring together a wide range of creative voices by encouraging collaboration across different disciplines, cultures, and generations. By supporting experimentation and new ways of working, it helps artists share stories that reflect the region’s richness and individuality.”
How do you now envision the role of technology in enhancing your creative practice going forward?
Technology has become another material, a way to deepen connection, emotion, and sensory engagement. I see it as a bridge between tradition and innovation, allowing me to tell stories in more immersive and inclusive ways.
What advice would you give to other creatives in the region who are considering applying for funding and support?
Be clear about what excites you and what you want to explore even if it feels ambitious or uncertain. Use the opportunity to take risks, learn new skills, and connect with others who can help you grow your practice.
Black Country Digital Firsts is a unique partnership between Creative Black Country and The Space that aims to build digital creative confidence, inspire excellence in the area, foster digital creativity, commission artists, and offer creative support via mentoring and advice sessions.