Paiwand
As Ashita Singhal of Paiwand, explores her expression through lost craft techniques and upcycled textiles, she delves into the spectrum of characters held on by the sea. Be it the serene calmness of the gleaming beach, the quaint stillness and chilling breeze before the sea storm or the dense ingrowth of the delta.
Treescape
Reminiscent of the lush mangrove canopy of the Bay of Bengal, Treescape stands in mystic glory. As almost 300 rivers crisscross in a maze of river island delta ultimately becoming one with the ocean, it challenges on to discover its tropical glory.
Treescape, captures this twisted coming together of an ecosystem through an age old weaving trick called ‘Gathni’. Hand-twisted ‘katrans’ woven meticulously on the handloom symbolically traverses within the wonders of the sea.
Shore
The sweet chime of receding water on the wet sand, freckles of scattered conches, a strong sea breeze and the constant hum of the waves.
This textile art attempts to capture a wave of the ocean against the sandy beaches. A grin of nature, a pleasure to dwell in. Shore, emerges from the upcycled hand-embroidered technique. Threading needles with discarding fabrics instead of virgin yarns, and embroidered with the ‘chawal dana’ style, Shore calls on your nostalgic rendezvous with the sea.
Whispers of the loom
An ode to unlimited possibilities of innovation held within the crevices of the Indian handloom. This exhibit showcases a 3-D handoven piece crafted painstakingly using a double-cloth structure made entirely of ‘Katran’, discarded and waste textiles. The installation combined technicality of loom and sustainable efforts.
The upper fan-like structure unfolds into six parts without the need for any cutting or stitching. It is a complex interplay of threads and textures. Then there’s a suspended swatch of a structural handwoven textile. The line of sight takes us to the lower part which represents artisans huddled together through a silhouette of our Re-rewoven jackets.
There also stands a stool, entirely made on the handloom, with bamboo handwoven in a double cloth structure on the loom itself. A marvel of artisanal innovation!
This installation pays homage to the spirit of handloom weavers and artisans that move in a synergy of craft and innovation.