Stitching: A crucial element in artwork

Stitches have survived and thrived as a mode of expression, seeping into fashion obviously but also into art. A group exhibition titled “Being Together” is being exhibited at White Space Studio and will run till 14 February 2023. This show is conceptualised by Durga Kainthola.  It is a dialogue among 5 artists with a common concept, lyrical lines.
The artworks of Durga Kainthola, Hemavathy Guha, Richa Navani, Ruby Jhunjhunwala, Shubika Lal have been exhibited in this exhibition.
A simple tool – a needle to stitch, started out as a bind for animal skin and leaves to protect oneself from the changing weather. The lifeless needle, made of a sharp bone, used binding material to create a shield for the body. The artists in this exhibition have used stitching as a crucial element of their work. It is a rhythmic conversation – between the self and the object. A dialogue happens between the artist and the needle. A needle can puncture and hurt, as well as mend and heal, each time it pricks the surface.
The interaction and the repetition capture thoughts, through a sharp object, the needle that uses thread to bind, through the sensuous fingers of the artist. A conversation that helps in connecting and expressing a thought process: resulting in a work of art.
Renowned artist Durga Kainthola said, “My use of multimedia while gradually moving towards the use of embroidery due to its intricate nature helps to highlight certain themes of my art practice. I have added another dimension to my works with collage using a sewing machine to join the cut-outs with bold yet slender lyrical lines. These strokes add an element of surprise, a mystery tracing its own continuity.”
Artist Ruby Jhunjhunwala said, «Started my journey in clay almost four decades ago under the mentorship of renowned ceramic artists Daniel Rhodes, Gurcharan and Mansiram Singh. Not confining myself to clay, I moved on to mediums like fabric, paper, and natural fibers”.