Textile Study Group

artists and tutors sharing ideas imagination and skills

Amarjeet Nandhra

My Other Colours and My Other Words by Amarjeet Nandhra A contemporary response to the traditional Punjabi embroidery technique of Phulkari. Both pieces address issues of identity and heritage.
Shared Heritage by Amarjeet Nandhra Examines the divisions between the religious communities that once shared the beautiful art form of Phulkari . Dye, print, machine and hand stitch.
My Other Words, detail, by Amarjeet Nandhra Canvas, dye ,print , decolourant and hand stitch.
My Other Colours, detail, by Amarjeet Nandhra Canvas, print and hand stitch.
Displacement by Amarjeet Nandhra Partition of India in August 1947, when Pakistan and India gained independence from Britain, resulted in one of the largest forced migrations of people in history.
Sketch books by Amarjeet Nandhra Recording words, colours and images of my social landscape
Sketch books by Amarjeet Nandhra Recording words, colours and images of my social landscape
Sainchi by Amarjeet Nandhra A contemporary interpretation of Sainchi , Phulkari embroidery.
Continuous by Amarjeet Nandhra Canvas, print, stitch
The Shirt On Your Back by Amarjeet Nandrha Linen, cotton, print

 

Artist statement

I am an artist and educator based in West London. Trained in Graphic Communication, I have also worked as an Art Director on various independent short films. My teaching experience covers a range of courses; printmaking, mixed media and contemporary textiles, at Diploma level, City & Guilds and Adult Education. Currently I run the Advanced Textiles and Mentoring sessions at WSTA, Windsor School of Textile Arts, an independent textiles school, which I also co founded. Alongside this I teach at City Lit adult education centre in London.

My practice often addresses themes of social causes, using textiles and mixed media. The narrative behind this work examines the hidden meaning, looking beyond the aesthetic sensibility of the textiles. I am interested in unpicking and examining the stories, history and memories, that they hold.

This pathway has led to re examining the colours, patterns and marks, associated with traditional Indian textiles. At first glance the ornamentation seduces the viewer. Creating a superficial lens in which these traditions have historically been examined. To be seen , simply as colourful and aesthetically pleasing items.

However, such a reductive viewpoint, prevents a deeper understanding of the textiles. The often intricate and beautiful embroidery of these pieces, disguises their identity, as powerful carriers of meaning and memory. These textiles, past and present, are both making and marking identities, conveying a narrative through stitch, colour, mark and pattern.

Print, mixed media, and stitch provide the foundation to express these ideas. The work develops through layering of marks, text, patterns and stitch. The ideas are formulated through drawing and samples whilst explorations have also resulted in wire drawings and small constructions.

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