Exhibition Program: Textiles, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship in India

Thursday, October 8th

11am EDT  

Meet some of the artisan designers of Somaiya Kala Vidya (SKV) who are featured in the exhibition Handmade: Creating Textiles in South Asia. SKV offers year-long courses in design and business to provide effective, relevant, and practical education to artists in India. In this online program, SKV artists and founder Judy Frater will join GW's Kavita Daiya to discuss their inspirations, artistic concepts, and the importance of design education for artisans. Kavita Daiya, director of GW’s Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program, will add her perspective on global feminisms. The discussion will be moderated by exhibition curator Cristin McKnight Sethi.

About the Exhibition

Artists, cooperatives, and workshops across Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan are creating new textile designs inspired by centuries-old traditions. Organized by GW art history professor Cristin McKnight Sethi, Handmade: Creating Textiles in South Asia shares artist stories alongside vibrant examples of handmade saris, scarves, and other garments. Opening date to be announced.

Panelists

Artists from Somaiya Kala Vidya

Judy Frater, founder director emeritus of Somaiya Kala Vidya

Kavita Daiya, director of the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program at GW's Columbian College

Cristin McKnight Sethi, assistant professor of art history at GW (moderator)

How to Participate

To participate, simply sign up below and we will email you a link and instructions for joining the discussion on Zoom. 

About the Series

In this three-part virtual series, meet the artists and organizers featured in the exhibition Handmade: Creating Textiles in South Asia through dynamic conversations moderated by curator Cristin McKnight Sethi and faculty from GW. This series is a collaboration with the Sigur Center for Asian Studies at GW's Elliott School of International Affairs.