Birds and Paisley -Installation

Hand screen-printing, through the Visvakarma commissions, was observed to be a relevant, contemporary skill for Indian textiles. This panel exemplifies such an attitude, in which hand-drawn imagery of birds and foliage are superimposed with that of the enduring motif of Ambi/Manga that became paisley in western design vocabulary. Textures of fine lines in a single colour are morphed, in varying densities, to emerge forms which bring to attention the art of K. Adimoolam, an artist working at the time of this commission with the WSC, who in parallel, developed a unique visual arts practice in media other than fabric.

The exemplary work of birds and paisley was created by Weavers’ Service Center, Chennai. The hand-drawn images of birds and paisley were printed on fabric using a screen. The precise placement of individual screens provides an all-over effect on this panel. The effect of brush painting is achieved by the use of half and quarter tones on screen with black colour, adding depth and detail to the design.