New Delhi: Gallery Art Motif is delighted to present The Art of Embroidery, an exhibition by Atelier Nandini Sawhny • Aisha Jameel, along with their team of kaarigars – Syed Anisur Rahman, Sheikh Abu Bakkar, Syed Amir Ali, Syed Nazir Ali, Sheikh Raju, and Syed Ershad Ali. The preview opens on 26 September 2025, and the exhibition will be on view from 27 September to 8 November 2025 at Gallery Art Motif, New Delhi.
The flowering Tree of Life, or Kalpvriksha – a motif deeply rooted in Indian mythology as the tree that fulfills wishes – forms the central inspiration for this exhibition. The painted tree of life was a precursor to its embroidered version, with the treatment of the embroideries greatly influenced by English crewel work. The original palampores, hand-painted and mordant-dyed Kalamkaris, have served as inspiration for these works. The base fabric is screen-printed with patterns and then embroidered.
“The stitches and interpretation of these embroideries are our own, combined with the skill of the kaarigars embroidering them, who bring their own originality to each artwork. We attempt to showcase here the mix of taankas (stitches) used to create texture, depth, and dimension.”
— Nandini Sawhny & Aisha Jameel
The stitch is a fine chain stitch executed with a combination of a needle and a leather worker’s hooked awl called the aari—a technique developed by the Mochi embroidery tradition of Kutch, Gujarat. Each tapestry thus emerges as a unique interpretation, shaped by the artistry and originality of the kaarigars.
The motifs reveal influences from Persian, Chinese, and European art, while remaining rooted in the Indian aesthetic. Historically created for a Western audience, these embroideries carried a subtle palette of muted tones on fine cottons and linens using silk threads. Today, Atelier Nandini Sawhny • Aisha Jameel reinterpret this legacy with cotton and blended yarns, creating ombré effects in leaves and flowers, seamlessly blending colours to evoke a soft luminosity.
This exhibition stands as a tribute not only to the aesthetic richness of Indian embroidery but also to the resilience and creativity of the artisans who continue to evolve its language for a contemporary context.
About Gallery Art Motif
Gallery Art Motif was set up in 1995 in New Delhi. The gallery’s focus is oncontemporary abstract, non-objective art and textiles. Since its inception, the gallery has been committed to providing a platform for both established and emerging artists, fostering creative dialogue and encouraging artistic exploration.
Exhibition Details
Title: The Art of Embroidery
Artists: Atelier Nandini Sawhny • Aisha Jameel
Dates: 26 September – 8 November 2025
Venue: Gallery Art Motif, A1-178 Safdarjung Enclave, Fourth Floor, New Delhi – 110029
Timings: Monday to Saturday, 10 AM – 6 PM
Featuring Image Courtesy: Gallery Art Motif
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