Vices (Vanity)

Vices (Vanity) is a part of an ongoing series of works that Mani has been working on based on the seven deadly sins, a popular theme among early 14th century European artists. The work, Vices (Vanity) refers to one of the seven vices. Vanity which was a popular theme of traditional still-life painting referring to the transient nature of physical beauty. A woman’s dressing table was also referred to as Vanity. The technique that her work employs, drawing on kalamkari and other textile traditions of the subcontinent is local, the works explore larger ideas of power politics, historical events and cultural exchange.

The work was featured as part of the exhibition 'Connecting Threads: Textiles in Contemporary Practice'. The exhibition was curated by Tasneem Zakaria Mehta and Puja Vaish and attempts to trace textile practices, traditions and histories in Contemporary Indian Art.