Quilt artists reflect through fabric

At The Square Inch, a one-stop destination for needlecraft enthusiasts since 2014, co-founders of the Quilt India Foundation, Tina Katwal and Varsha Sundararajan, are gearing up for their annual thematic quilt exhibition. This year’s showcase brings together 58 entries by participants aged between eight and 80. Located in Thiruvanmiyur, the centre is known for its bespoke quilts and its regular quilting workshops.

“This year, the entries were judged by Prabha Narasimhan, a Chennai-based textile designer, and the winners will be announced at the exhibition, which opens on January 23,” says Tina. Participants were given a bundle of eight differently coloured fabrics and 12 weeks to complete their work. “Each quilt had to measure 20 x 20 inches and use at least 50% of the fabric provided. Unified by the theme Reflect, the works explored reflection in its many forms, optical, emotional, psychological and social, offering viewers a visually rich and contemplative experience,” explains Varsha.

Art quilts on display showcase diverse interpretations of emotion and meaning.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

A highlight of the exhibition is the display of Double Wedding Ring quilts and Rolling Waves quilts, shown in India for the first time. While the former draws on the symbolism of love and unity, the latter has an illusion of fluid movement, created entirely from straight-edged fabric pieces. As visitors move through the exhibition, they will be met with a range of emotions and artistic perspectives, with each quilt distinguished by its own pattern, mood and interpretation.

“The vision behind this exhibition is to create awareness, inspire and educate the public about quilting as an art form. It is fascinating to see the consistency and individuality with which artists have approached the theme,” says Varsha. She adds that quilting is a meditative practice and an immensely peaceful and fulfilling experience for its practitioners.

Following the four-day exhibition, the quilts will travel to other art quilt shows across India and overseas. Visitors can also browse and purchase a variety of quilted products, including bags, laptop cases, tote bags, blankets and table runners.

Art quilts exploring reflection and emotion
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

@Sri Sankara Hall, Alwarpet. On January 23 , 4pm to 8pm, January 24 and 25 from 11am to 8pm, and January 26 from 11am to 6pm. Entry is free. For details, call 9551118323.