One of the pieces in the collection Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Resting under the shade of a tree in remote villages of Tamil Nadu Sapta KanikaThe artwork displayed at the center of the Forum Art Gallery brings to life seven goddesses represented by seven bricks, smeared in turmeric and adorned with bright pieces of Chinnalapatti cloth. The creation of artist and designer Lakshmi Srinath, the artwork runs a thread through the divine feminine energy representing Shakti.
Patterns & Motifs is a reimagining of Indian heritage through textiles and jewellery. A collaboration between Forum Art Gallery and Lakshmi’s TVM Art and Design Studio, the collection showcases a range of textile pieces that include hand-dyed fabrics and jewelery crafted from local materials such as wood, gems and metals. This exhibition takes you face to face with the delicate carvings of Gwalior Fort, the divine artistry of Khajuraho, the graceful dance of nature at Raneh Waterfalls and the rich culture of India passed down for generations.
One of the pieces in the collection Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
artist’s opinion
Designer Lakshmi Srinath describes this translation of heritage and nature onto textiles thus: “There is always an underlying sense of tradition in whatever I do. It is the core of my existence.” She adds, “I adapt very easily. Provided it inspires me, I find it very easy to translate it onto clothes.” The collection utilizes the themes of contrast inherent in her jewelery and interprets heritage carvings through multiple expressions. “Travel is what inspires him,” says Shalini Biswajit, director of Forum Art Gallery. I could connect with him. For me, to revisit it and see it from my perspective, I looked at how he translated it. “It’s always a joy to see artists express themselves,” she says.
With the use of chanderi and tissue as a base, Lakshmi Srinath defines the decadence of her clothes as “light and ethereal”. Through an emphasis on reflecting the rich historical tapestry of India, they also aim to bring to the fore vanishing cultures. “We are in the age of globalization. The trend is to embrace multi-culturalism and multi-aesthetics. In this process we are losing our sense of identity. Don’t apologize for who we are,” she says.
The exhibition will be on display till December 7 at Forum Art Gallery, Padmanabha Nagar, Adyar.
published – December 04, 2024 04:24 PM IST
