In the vibrant arts scene of Chennai, an extraordinary tapestry of quilts has been unfurled, telling tales through fabric and thread at The Square Inch, a quilting studio nestled in the city’s heart. Each quilt, with its unique blend of purple and green, narrates an individual story: a butterfly dances around an embroidered flower on one, a cluster of vivid purple blossoms graces another, and a third is awash with colors encircling a laughing child.
These craftworks are part of a collection of 58 quilts submitted for an annual contest hosted by The Square Inch. This year’s theme, ‘Abundance,’ has brought forth an exhibition curated by the Quilt India Foundation, presenting an array of theme-based art quilts.
Tina Katwal, the founder of The Square Inch, explains the premise of the challenge: “Participants were given identical bundles of fabric to interpret ‘Abundance’ in their distinctive styles. They had to ensure that at least half of the quilt’s surface area was covered with the provided fabric, with the final dimensions set at 20×20 inches.”
The entrants have employed a spectrum of quilting techniques, from cross-stitch and appliqué work to confetti quilting and even the innovative printing of photographs on fabric. As Varsha Sundararajan, co-founder of Quilt India Foundation, sees it, “Quilting transcends craft; it becomes an art form. We’ve inspired the participants to contemplate the numerous facets of abundance and express these insights in their quilts.”
Not merely restricted to themed works, the exhibition also boasts a fascinating series of ‘temperature quilts.’ Crafted throughout the year, these quilts depict daily temperatures through a language of colors and patterns. One such quilt vibrantly displays the varying hues corresponding to Chennai’s temperatures in 2021.
The Square Inch has witnessed a surge in interest from various age groups, with middle-aged and senior citizens engaging in quilting as a hobby. Lately, a younger demographic has been drawn to this craft, considering it an artistic escape from the digital world and a way to reduce stress. Tina envisions a rise in people exploring quilting as a form of artistic expression.
In conjunction with the exhibition, a quilting workshop and demonstration will be conducted on January 20 at 11 am. The challenge will be adjudicated by Anitha Manohar, the director of the National Institute of Fashion Technology. She will honorably select the top two quilts. The Square Inch adds to the excitement by presenting The Royal Inchworm award.
The celebratory tapestry of ‘Abundance’ will be on display to the public from January 20 to 22 at Sri Sankara Hall, TTK Road, with an inauguration ceremony at 4:30 pm on January 19. This event is free for all comers.
With this exhibition, Chennai invites fabric art aficionados and the uninitiated alike to explore the world of quilting, a domain where art meets heritage, and every stitch accentuates the richness of abundance. This artistic celebration not only showcases the talents of seasoned and emerging quilters but also offers a glimpse into the ever-evolving narrative of creativity within the city’s cultural fabric.
