On The DL

Artist Salon: Ayesha Rahim

by Jessica Loughery

Sat., Jan. 6, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., free, Philadelphia Folklore Project, 735 S. 50th St., 215-726-1106, www.folkloreproject.org

If you've ever stopped to admire a beautifully crocheted hat, you may've been checking out the work of Ayesha Rahim, who's been crowning Philadelphians for decades.

Rahim started making clothes as a child, and soon realized she had a talent for garments. But studying at Moore didn't agree with her tastes, so she put aside her designing for years before teaching herself to crochet.

Her first piece was a kufi she made for a Muslim friend. Rahim was wearing another when Charita Powell, of Reading Terminal Market's Amazulu stand, requested one. Now, the custom hats grace heads throughout the city.

Interestingly Rahim refuses to take credit for her colorful, ornamented caps. "Spirit," she says, tells her which colors and shells to use, where to use them and when.

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he Philadelphia Folklore Project will celebrate Rahim's years of work with stories, a Q&A session and a demonstration by the artist herself. A special invitation is being extended to anyone who owns a Rahim hat, as PFP hopes to compile a record of her work.