JULY 14, 2023, HAMPI & BANGALORE: JSW Foundation is hosting Woven Narratives: Indian handlooms as Creative and Cultural Industries, a unique handloom textile exhibition curated by textile designer, writer and curator, Mayank Mansingh Kaul. The Woven Narratives exhibition features selection of artworks from the collections of art patrons Mrs. Sangita Jindal and Devi Art Foundation. This unique exhibition has been conceptualised by the G20 Culture Working Group (CWG), Ministry of Culture, Government of India. The exhibition focuses on CWG’s third priority of Promoting Cultural and Creative Industries & Economy.
The Woven Narratives exhibition is being showcased at Hampi Art Labs in honour of the G20 Sherpa Delegation, G20 Culture Working Group and Ministry of Culture, Government of India visiting JSW Vijayanagar Works and Hampi’s temple town in Karnataka.
Woven Narratives was formally inaugurated this evening, by the G20 Sherpa of India, Mr Amitabh Kant, along with Mrs Sangita Jindal, Chairperson – JSW Foundation. The exhibition was previewed to the G20 Culture Working Group on 9th of July 2023.
According to Mrs. Sangita Jindal, Chairperson JSW Foundation, “It is my privilege to present the country’s extraordinary range of fabrics and fashions, patterns and designs, to the G20 delegates and other esteemed visitors. I sincerely hope that these narratives of sustainability help bring us together, establish our deep inter-connections, and weave our hearts and minds to look at a common, prosperous future.”
Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa of India, said: “The Indian cultural and creative industries have always made a significant impact on the global creative economy. As the G20 Sherpa of India, I am proud to witness their immense potential. Our presidency is committed to promoting these industries for their national and global economic value. The handloom sector, a vital component of India’s creative economy, holds a prominent position after agriculture. The ‘Woven Narratives’ exhibition, curated by the CWG team, Ministry of Culture, and JSW Foundation, beautifully showcases the diverse materials, processes, and designs of handlooms from regions across our nation. It amplifies the CWG’s campaign, ‘Culture unites all,’ recognizing the resonances and celebrating the dynamic cultural expressions of humanity. Congratulations to all for this remarkable exhibition.”
The exhibition showcases the rich textile tradition of our country, and narrates the stories of global influences and exchanges. Works include Ikats, Brocades, Carpets and Cotton Weaves from across the length and breadth of the country. Both archival textiles and contemporary renditions are on display. Some of the works from modern and contemporary artists like Monika Correa, Astha Butail and Bappaditya Biswas, amongst other, are also on display
Vijayanagar is home to JSW’s largest steel plant, a developed township, the Inspire Institute of Sport, the OP Jindal Cultural Centre which will house an upcoming weaving school, Kaladham, an International Arts and Cultural Centre, as well as Hampi Art Labs- a contemporary art centre and residency space due to open in early February 2024.
This exhibition and these inaugural events tie in with all of JSW’s cultural initiatives, the JSW Foundation’s UNESCO Award-winning restoration work at Hampi and the group’s larger vision of social betterment and cultural preservation. The G20 Culture working group is visiting Hampi to discuss the promotion of cultural and creative industries and creative economy.
