Vijayanagara
‘The Red Dress’, a 14-year, award-winning global collaborative embroidery project conceived by British artist Kirstie Macleod, is currently on display at Hampi Art Labs, brought there by the JSW Foundation. The exhibition, running from November 11 to 22, also features ‘Knots that Bind’, a specially curated selection of artwork from Sangita Jindal, Chairperson of JSW Foundation.
Macleod explained that ‘The Red Dress’ is a global project that involved the contributions of 380 individuals from 51 countries between 2009 and 2023, with each participant adding their voice and stitches. She shared that her inspiration for the project stemmed from her travels around India, particularly her time spent with Lambani women in Karnataka in 2006, where she experienced spontaneous embroidery moments. Some of the embroideries she collected during that time were incorporated into the dress, which she views as a tribute to the seeds that sparked its creation. The garment symbolizes the diverse backgrounds and stories of the artists involved.
Meera Curam, Director of Hampi Art Labs, highlighted that through this collaboration with JSW and ‘The Red Dress’, women artisans will be given a platform to showcase their skills in creating a Calico dress. She emphasized how this initiative aligns with JSW’s vision of bringing global art to India while offering indigenous artisans international exposure. Hampi Art Labs fosters creativity through artist residencies and innovative cultural collaborations, providing a platform for women from vulnerable communities to share their stories through embroidery.
The exhibition has drawn thousands of embroidery enthusiasts from across Karnataka and neighboring states like Telangana and Maharashtra, highlighting the growing interest in this unique art form.
