A dynamic program of art, craft, design and photography exhibitions take place at Nila House, alongside specially-commissioned contemporary art works experimenting with indigo and natural dye.

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EXHIBITIONS

NAVRANG CHALLENGE

We launched Navrang Challenge, a nationwide competition that invited all artists, artisans, and designers to create handcrafted posters communicating health and safety measures which prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. This challenge was about highlighting the strength of our handmade craft traditions to build awareness about important issues. This was a call for anyone with a creative spirit to join this creative journey, using any craft technique (embroidery, appliqué, hand painting, collages etc.) and locally available materials.

Here are images of the beautiful artworks submitted by 3 finalists along with 3 more participants who were selected by our jury to have their artworks also presented on our website.

You can view the artworks of the three finalists in detail here.

Lifestyle Lessons by Kamala Murali (Finalist)

Crafts: Patchwork, Appliqué, Hand-Embroidery, Kantha stitch, and Machine-Quilting

Choice is yours by Manvi Gandotra (Finalist)

Craft: Hand embroidery on canvas

Aaj Doori Kal Ek Saath by Wasim Ansari (Finalist)

Craft: Hand weaving using a 2-shaft traditional Maheshwari pedal loom with extra weft hand inserts

United against Coronavirus by Yunus Khimani

Craft: Hand painting using colour pencils, water colours, pen ink, and acrylic colours on tinted paper

Building a new normal by Rachel Crasto

Crafts: Patchwork, embroidery, and natural dyeing using indigo, coffee, and onion peels from kitchen waste

Separated we stand by Lavanya Asthana

Craft: Hand embroidery

REVISITING TRADITIONS

Kutch is one of the few significant craft regions of India to have stood the test of time and nature, keeping its ancient practices of weaving; printing and dyeing alive in their utmost purity.

This exhibition is the culmination of a 6-month commissioned project wherein 5 young artisans from Kutch used natural indigo as a colour of expression and identity to create unique pieces in their respective traditional crafts: Abdulrauf Khatri - Ajrakh; Suresh Maganlal - Tangaliya; Aziz Khatri - Bandhani; Khimji Vankar - Kutch weaving; Shakil Khatri - Batik.

Taking inspiration from these textile practices, designer Ujjawal Dubey collaborated with the artisans to create a small collection of garments. This collaboration reinforces the Nila House philosophy of enabling equal dialogues and co-creation between artisans and designers.

Here, we mark our first step towards the revival of true Indigo in a region which truly identifies with this magical dye.

Exhibition Design: Aastha Johri

All artworks have been uploaded here for a comprehensive view into the crafts and the profiles of all 5 artisans.