Journeys – Asafo flags from the Karun Thakar collection at Dyrham Park

The National Trust is partnering with renowned collector, author, and curator Karun Thakar with three exhibitions at Dyrham Park, Osterley Park and House and Blickling Estate.

‘Journeys’ draws on highlights from Thakar’s global textile collections to explore themes of migration, trade, craftsmanship, colonialism, global history and beauty.

Through the universal theme of ‘journeys’, the exhibitions reveal the complex histories of objects, materials, and people – examining both tangible heritage and living traditions.

Vibrant textile displays and film will reveal stories often left untold and show how these historic houses were shaped by global connections and colonial legacies.

In the house at Dyrham Park will be vibrant Asafo flags. One of the most important West African art forms, they fuse European naval insignia with local traditions and symbolism, reflecting resistance and adaptation during colonial encounters. Displayed throughout Dyrham’s interiors, and placed alongside portraits and objects, they will deepen narratives of 17th-century global trade and colonial history embedded in the house.