LOOMS OF THE EAST
SPRING 2009 Exhibitions
Nayana Gangooly, based in Kolkata, has been working in textiles for over ten years and has made it her lifework to preserve the craftsmanship and artistry of her native India. Working with small craft cooperatives and artisans throughout India, she continuously presents an exclusive collection of handcrafted accessories from the various distinct regions of the subcontinent. Nayana’s collection usually concentrates on eastern weaves and embroideries, with stoles, shawls, scarves, bedspreads, bags, and wall hangings in silk, cotton and wool from West Bengal, Assam, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh – and a few select pieces from Rajasthan and Gujarat.
The concentration for the Spring 2009 collection is on weaves from Kashmir. Along with the well known Pashmina, Nayana has managed to source some very fun, contemporary styles that will suit all ages and budgets. There are shawls, stoles, and bedspreads from Chattisgarh, Bhagalpur and Assam and of course, Nayana's signature Kantha embroidery from Bengal.
Concerned about the future of traditional crafts and the livelihood of small artisans in India, Nayana makes it a point to source directly from those artisans or non-profit organisations involved in the development and promotion of traditional crafts throughout the country. She personally travels from region to region collecting and sourcing the pieces, and most of her collection are "one-off" pieces made especially for her, nothing is machine made or mass-produced, so it can never be replicated exactly. Prices are always dictated by the producers themselves.
A percentage of Nayana’s sale proceeds are donated to organizations which are close to Nayana's heart, including, and most especially, Deb Shishu, a school for underprivileged, special needs children based in Burdhaman, West Bengal. Many shows in the past couple of years have helped provide materials and resources for this project. Another project which greatly benefits from the shows is a craft preservation and income generation project known as "Threads," organised by Moumita Dey, also in Burdhman. Nayana also works to support various weaver groups in Varanasi, as well as the Kutch Mahila Vikas project and St. Mary's Convent in Gujarat. Contributions have also been raised for various organization working in the US, Morocco, Japan the UK and other European countries, as decided by the people who host the shows.
Throughout the year, exhibitions are held outside of India in order to give small producer groups new channels for moving their crafts. Nayana offers a percentage to anyone who wants to sponsor an exhibition or home/office party as rent or for a specific fundraising event of their own. All details are negotiated prior to the show. Please consider organizing a home show or exhibition – it's always a lot of fun.
Nayana also buys for socially responsible boutiques.
For more information: nayanagangooly@gmail.com
• SPRING 2009 EXHIBITION SCHEDULE •
To be updated as dates and venues are confirmed
*Click on the 2009 SPRING COLLECTION Photo album (above right) to see some of the newest items in this season's collection
• FRANCE EXHIBITIONS AND DATES •
MAY 12 (Tues)
NORMANDY, FRANCE
2:00 - 7:00 pm
A' Mont Saint Aignan / 22 Rue du Val de Cottes / Chez Catherine
Contact: 0235610288 (Catherine Alexandre) or 0660695149 (Sandrine Lejeune)
MAY 16 (Sat)
AVIGNON, FRANCE
An all-day exhibition hosted by Josette Perrin
Contact: 0611134994 (Josette Perrin)
MAY 17 (Sun)
ROGNONAS, FRANCE
College Alpilles Durance/ Avenue des Ecoles / 13870 Rognonas
Contact: Josette Perrin (perrinjosette@hotmail.fr)
• CZECH REPUBLIC EXHIBITIONS AND DATES •
MAY 21 (Thurs)
BRNO, CZECH REPUBLIC
2:30 - 7:00 pm at the Ethnographic Museum
MAY 22 (Fri)
JINDRICHUV HRADEC, CZECH REPUBLIC
3:00 - 6:00 pm
Tapestry Gaellery at Rennaissance Mill
MAY 24 (Sun)
2:30 - 5:00 pm
Castle Cerveny Dvar
Contact for all Czech exhibitions: 00420602626735 (Katerina Cichrova)
• POLAND EXHIBITIONS AND DATES •
MAY 27 (Wed)
Contact: Tadeusz and Dorota Robinski
• UK EXHIBITIONS AND DATES•
JUNE 2 (Tues)
LONDON, UK
An exhibition hosted by Luciana Girotto Beckett
6:00 - 10:00 pm
2 Clapham Mansions/ Nightingale Lane / London SW4 9AQ
Contact: 07979651950 (Luciana)
JUNE 12 - 30
FIRCROFT, UK
Nayana's jewelery and textiles will be on display at the Summer Exhibition at Fircroft
Albury Heath / Albury / Guilford
Contact: fircroft@alburyheath.com (Christine Taylor)
• ITALY EXHIBITIONS AND DATES •
JUNE 8 (Mon)
BOLZANO, ITALY
Contact: (Simona Stoppa)
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TRAVEL AND TRUTHS: An update from Nayana
Since I often have the opportunity to travel to very inspirational places, I have started to dabble in travel writing. Two of the pieces I worked on were published over the last few months. Please have a look at these links if you are interested in reading about my travels to Lhasa and Nicaraugua.
Lhasa:
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1144515&CatID=19
Nicaraugua:
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080823/jsp/personaltt/story_9728266.jsp
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GOOD NEWS!
Many of the Bengal kantha pieces I create come from an organization called Threads which provides a place for women to earn a living through needlework. I am very pleased to announce that the German Consulate in Kolkata, under its Micro-project Scheme, will provide funding for vocational training programs for both THREADS and the DEB SHISHU school where I often donate a percentage of exhibition sales to. This funding will help them expand and further develop their important endeavors. Congratulations to Threads and Deb Shishu – and grateful thanks to the German Consulate for their interest and support.
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