Textiles and more in the Kerta Gosa Museum – Bali
On my visit to the small museum in Kerta Gosa, Bali (2015) I did not expect to find any textiles. paintings yes – because that area is famous for paintings. … Continue reading
Ancient Christian Art at The Met
Just photos of some amazing artworks created a few centuries ago … From the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Where the Men are Liberated
In most places around the globe, the world has imprisoned men in clothing of plain colors – colors that ensure that the wearers melt into the background. The most they are allowed is a strip of color in the form of a tie. [But don’t be fooled – it is mostly lip-service – out of the 5 feet of fabric, only about 1 foot is allowed to peep through from under the coat!! ]
Home Decor Art: Embroidery on Pot Cushions
“Pot Cushions? What on earth is a Pot Cushion? And why would anyone put embroidery on it?!” This is the incredulous response of my friend – raised in the … Continue reading
Dragons and Serpents from Laos – Textile Art
According to Lao mythology the Naga are the protectors of the Lao state and it is quite natural that they are found in all the forms of art practiced there. … Continue reading
Old Silver Opium Hafeem Box – Available for Sale
Available for Sale: Old Silver Opium Box
A Seat for the Gods
Furniture is so hard to photograph!! And this piece was not even meant to be furniture! It was the seat on a bullock cart. Not an ordinary seat for you … Continue reading
Goals for Tattoo Lovers
They say be careful about tattoos because you have to live with them for the rest of your life. When I turned 40 I realised that I was way into … Continue reading
Iron (Wo)Man
Just another work of art in iron! How long did it take to make? How much effort? No idea. But a hundred years later in 2016, we are still enjoying … Continue reading
Art in Mud – Village Scenes
This artwork by Dinesh Chandra Kumhar from Molela village was exhibited at the Serendipity Arts Festival 2016 Goa curated by the leading thinker in the world of Indian Art- Shri … Continue reading
Daily Art Fix – Double Sided Ajrakh Print
No words needed! {but will say some anyway!) The feature that makes this a masterpiece is the ‘double-sided print’. Both the front and the back have prints that are identical … Continue reading
Smoke gets in your Eyes!
A beautiful song taken a little literally by this neat little Naga Chillum Pipe! Carved out of animal bone this pipe from a Naga tribe portrays the image of a … Continue reading
Old Tribal Beaded Hair Ornaments for a Child – Available for Sale
Handmade Beaded Hair ornaments for a child. How are these worn? These are fastened to the hair at the level of the eyes – somewhat like blinkers perhaps? Here is … Continue reading
Museum Walk – Lacquered Papier Mache Art
Just a few photos of one more form of art – lacquered papier-mache objects. Manuscript covers and pen cases are the most common items in this type of art. … Continue reading
Textiles in the Chaurapanchsika Love Poem of the 16th Century
Chaurapanchasika is a love-lament poem from the 16th century (some say earlier). [Chaurapanchasika is a set of 50 verses written by a Kashmiri Pandit Bilhana in the 11th century. It … Continue reading
The Mesmerising Qashqai Motif
Clans do things similarly. Like make curry in a particular way, or wear their sari in a particular way. Or weave the central medallion in their rugs using one template. … Continue reading
Art of the Universe – Yao Shaman Robes
Yao painting scrolls, Yao dragon bridges and now Yao Shaman robes! The Yao group has created several forms of art while pursuing their spiritual goals! Led by priests called Shamans, … Continue reading
Mother of Pearl Inlay – Art in Wood
Exploring the art of carving out pictures in wood and then filling them with the beautiful contrasting mother-of-pearl bits cut to size. Precision is absolutely essential in the craft! The art allows us glimpses into the cultural ethos of the time it was made. Natural beautyf, music and the arts seem to be of great importance!
Wood Art from Ancient China
An attempted burglary resulted in a forced movement of our furniture. These pieces had been tucked away in a place that I visited with high frequency but low attention-depth. Every … Continue reading
Talk: “Wedding Embroideries of Kutch”
A presentation of the Talk held at the Textile Museum Washington D.C. in June 2016.
Daily Art Fix – Pathan Embroidery
A Pathan tablecloth with motifs that are seen even in the forehead-tattoos of Pathani women. ❤️ jm Sept 2016
