Melbourne Museum
Sutr Santati: Then. Now. Next. Stories of India woven in thread.
Melbourne: 13 May-3 September

museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum

Sutr Santati: Then. Now. Next. Stories of India woven in thread. gives visitors an opportunity to see intricate, handmade textiles that have not been seen outside of India until now.

A creative partnership between Melbourne Museum and the Abheraj Baldota Foundation, this exhibition celebrates seventy-five years of India’s independence and celebrates the innovation and artistry of its world-renowned contemporary designers and craftspeople. Featuring seventy-five pieces, Sutr Santati: Then. Now. Next. Stories of India woven in thread. shows the versatility of textiles as an artistic medium. From colourful brocades to textural tapestries, finely embroidered silks and hand-painted pashminas, this exhibition offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the limitless possibilities of fabric within contemporary art, fashion and design.

Among the featured exhibits is a hand painted and embroidered pashmina shawl titled Gratitude to the Freedom Fighter. This piece was developed by Waseem Ahmed from Antique Shawls, Dehli in collaboration with designer Atiq Ahemed, using a hand-painted base to give the shawl’s embroidery an added dimension. Hand painting is a recent innovation in the repertory of the Kashmir shawl and is an example of how distinct textile cultures and contemporary aesthetics have cross-pollinated to give rise to new forms.

The exhibition is on display from 13 May until 3 September 2023.

— Press Release