The Making of “Indigo: The Blue Gold,” 2023 Video (6.35 min)

The Making of “Indigo: The Blue Gold,” 2023 Video (6.35 min)

This short film documents artist Shelly Jyoti’s process of working with master ajrakh craftsmen in Ajrakhpur, Bhuj, Gujarat to make new textile works for her 2023 exhibition Indigo: The Blue Gold at the South Asia Institute in Chicago, IL. The exhibition looks at indigo’s long history from several perspectives, including global trade, forced labor, slavery, and indentured labor, migration, and colonization in terms of India’s colonial history and uses recurring iconographic symbols of Gandhi’s spinning wheel, indigo plants, globes, and ships to tell the story of indigo.

A short film ‘In the making of svavlambhan’ for the new Parliament House Shilp Gallery

A short film ‘In the making of svavlambhan’ for the new Parliament House Shilp Gallery

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Charkha-The Wheels of ‘Svavalamban’ Shilp Deergha Gallery

 New Parliament House, 118 Rafi Marg, New Delhi, India  

This installation is a triptych titled, ‘Charkha -The Wheels of Svavalamban.’was  installed in Shilp Deergha Gallery in the new parliament building at New Delhi on May 28, 2023.

 These works were created by artist Shelly Jyoti in collaboration with Ajrakh craftsmen, embroiders from Delhi on the theme of  charkha (spinning wheel) symbolising unity, freedom, and self-sufficiency, reminding us of the Swadeshi Movement during India’s freedom struggle, when it stood for making our own products. This video gives the process of these artworks in making at Ajrakhpur, Bhuj, Gujarat and artists studio in Gurgaon, Haryana

Spinning wheel is used as an iconography for  Svavalamban or self-reliance. Charkha connects our past with the present, spinning the threads of India’s long and complex history, standing for all the ideals and aspirations of a free nation.

Artworks commissioned by Founder/ President of Dastkari  Haat Samiti : Smt Jaya Jaitley

Craftsmen and skilled workers

Juned Ismail Khatri (Master Craftsman) Ajrakhpur, Bhuj
Peer Mohamed, Hussain Afroz (Ajrakhpur, Gujarat)-Ajrakh Artisans 
Malti Das (Kaligunj, Krishnanagar,  Bengal)-Hand Needle work
Zameer Ansari, Nazrul, Saukat (Krishna market, old Gurgaon, Haryana)
Zardozi embroidery

Special thanks to all:

Voice Over(female): Artist and poet Shelly Jyoti
Voice Over(male): Dishant Narang
Recording studio: Pindrop Studio
Voice recordist Pankaj Sharma
Video editor : Guneet Singh Gulati
Photography & Videography: Ridham D Chhatrala, Bhuj, Gujarat.

This video is funded by GoodEarth: India’s leading luxury brand Design house www. Goodearth.in

TRIPTYCH OF BLOCK-PRINTED AJRAKH ON HANDSPUN KHADI TO CELEBRATE THE CHARKHA, AND WHAT IT STANDS FOR

TRIPTYCH OF BLOCK-PRINTED AJRAKH ON HANDSPUN KHADI TO CELEBRATE THE CHARKHA, AND WHAT IT STANDS FOR

“swavlamban’ series can be viewed at Shilp Deergha Gallery in the new Parliamant House

TRIPTYCH OF BLOCK-PRINTED AJRAKH ON HANDSPUN KHADI TO CELEBRATE THE CHARKHA, AND WHAT IT STANDS FOR

 

Irrespective of the developments by machines and mills in the last century, the survival of block printed textiles is closely tied to the spirit of s

elf-sufficiency. Still practised in parts of Gujarat, particularly Ajrakhpur in the city of Bhuj (Gujarat) and Rajasthan, and Sindh in Pakistan. Ajrakh is 

a unique reverse block-printing technique with natural dyes in which designated areas in the pattern are pre-treated to resist penetration by the dye. 

The word, Ajrakh, is derived from the phrase, “aaj ke din rakh” or “keep it for today”, alluding to the traditional process of preparing the fabric for printing. At every stage of the tedious dying process, the fabric is set aside to dry for 3-4 days. Nature plays an important role in the making of Ajrakh. Craftsmen work  in harmony with their environment where the sun, river, animals, trees, and mud, are all part of the creative process. Ajrakh prints are predominantly geometrical in combinations of blue, red, white, and black. Ajrakh textile traditions involve 20 odd steps — which include pre-soaking the cloth in a mix of camel dung, soda ash, and castor oil; mixing the dye-resistant pastes from gum and millet flour; and blending secondary dyes from an array of natural sources: yellow from turmeric, brown from rhubarb, orange from pomegranate skin, red from madder root, and black from a boiled syrup of scrap iron, chickpea flour, and sugarcane molasses. Ajrakh printers are largely based in Dhamadka and Ajrakhpur. The latter is a village created in the wake of the massive earthquake that destroyed hundreds of homes in Kutch in January, 2001. It was established with the collaboration of private institutions, the state government of Gujarat, and the villagers themselves. Eventually, they also organised a short road to the village, electricity, a complex of houses, printing establishments for block printers, and even an effluent plant to avoid contamination of local water sources and fields with dyestuffs. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Today, with its   proud new name of Ajrakhpur, honouring the traditional craft of block printing in word and spirit, the village is abuzz with activity, tourists, and pride. The natural dyeing of Ajrakh textiles was revived here by the late patriarch of the village’s most famous family, Khatri Mohammadbhai Siddiqbhai. The third generation of the family are now masters of the art, and the entire clan is eminently well-known nationally and internationally for its skills and talent in evolving a large variety of colours in natural dyeing. They work with highly renowned designers from India and abroad to produce masterpieces in textile art. This installation is a triptych titled, ‘Charkha — the Wheels of Svavalamban.’

The charkha (spinning wheel) symbolises unity, freedom, and self-sufficiency, reminding us of the Swadeshi Movement during India’s freedom struggle, when it stood for making our own products. The idea of creating two charkhas reflects the diversity of people, as a collective whole, strengthening the concept of Svavalamban. These artworks were created in the resist technique with lime, gum, rusted iron, tamarind powder, white clay, alum, alizarin, and powdered dhavedi flower. Wooden blocks used in the artworks belong to 300 to 400-year-old patterns that the craftspeople refer to as kungari, atthas, aery border, fustat gurda kaleji, leheriya, and patri. A symbol of Svavalamban or self-reliance, the charkha connects our past with the present, spinning the threads of India’s long and complex history, standing for all the ideals and aspirations of a free nation.

The artist Shelly Jyoti has created these triptych artworks on 100 gm of hand spun, handwoven khadi in collaboration with Ajrakh 

artisans, and embroiders- The works  feature different charkhas, printed in traditional Ajrakh style, and embellished with tiny mirrors and zari work. The artist has evoked the sentiment, to remind us that our freedom was hard won, and that it can be protected and preserved only through self-reliance.

These works can be viewed in Shilp Deergha Gallery inside the ground floor galleries of New Parliament building.The concept and the work of Shilp Deergha gallery was visualised by Smt. Jaya Jaitley ji, founder/president of Daastkar Haat Samiti  along with many designers and crafts people.

ARTWORKS FOR THE NEW PARLIAMENT HOUSE 2023

ARTWORKS FOR THE NEW PARLIAMENT HOUSE 2023

Artworks for The New Parliament House 2023

It’s indeed very humbling and a great honour to get this opportunity!

 These works can be viewed at Shilp Deergha Gallery on the Ground floor sections of the  new Parliament house at New Delhi  The concept and the work of Shilp Deergha gallery was visualised by Smt. Jaya Jaitley ji along with many designers and crafts people. The Shilp Gallery  houses eight thematic installations — Gyan, Prakriti, Swavlamban, Aastha, Ullas, Parv, Samrasta, and Yatra. Collectively, these works pay tribute to our rich art and craft legacy in collaboration with over 300 artists and artisans from all over the country.

I was commissioned to create these artworks on the theme  swavlambhan by Smt Jaya Jailtly founder/ president of Dastkari Haat Samiti. These works in the new Parliament House depict the theme of svavlambhan (self reliance).This installation is a triptych titled, ‘Charkha — the Wheels of Svavalamban.’
Created on hand-spun, handwoven khadi – they feature different charkhas, printed in traditional Ajrakh style, and embellished with tiny mirrors and zardozi work. The charkha (spinning wheel) symbolises unity, freedom, and self-sufficiency, reminding us of the Swadeshi Movement during India’s freedom struggle, when it stood for making our own products. The idea of creating two charkhas reflects the diversity of people, as a collective whole, strengthening the concept of Svavalamban. In collaboration with my ajrakh craftsmen Juned Khatri and embroiders, I tried to evoke the sentiment, to remind us that our freedom was hard won, and that it can be protected and preserved through self-reliance.

#centralvista#newparliament#parliamentbuilding#India#culture#livingarts#heritage#makeinindia#indiamodern#contemporaryindia#indiancrafters#handmade #shellyjyoti1211

 

SEASONS GREETINGS| REWIND 2021

SEASONS GREETINGS| REWIND 2021

 

SEASONS GREETINGS | HAPPY NEW YEAR | REWIND 2021
Dear friends, 
Seasons Greetings.
Wishing you all a very happy, and healthy year ahead. We look forward to 2022 with greater learnings, immense gratitude of the living moments with our families and loved ones.
 
The unpredictability of year that went past has not seen the closure to unprecedented global pandemic. Presently we are amidst another Corona variant that is ushering us into new year with newer realities of the year ahead. Hoping year three of the pandemic will be better than year two, and covid-19 will have much less impact on health and our everyday activities.
 
My present work  on a title  ‘EPOCH 2020: RELEVANCE OF GANDHI IN PRESENT IN PRESENT TENSE -Time, Rebirth, Iconology ‘ is work in progress that was inspired by the lived experience of epochal times we all were witnessing in 2021. The sufferings of unimaginable dimensions were unprecedented. The realisation of Gandhi’s  philosophies that I had visually narrated in last 10 years started to resonate with me in relevance to the unpredictable times we were cruising in.The idea of ‘adherence to ones duty’, ‘self reliance’, ‘upliftment for all’, ‘self rule’ seemed the resolve to way forward, and that led me to investigate as what is time as a temporal  phenomenon, and ‘picture theory’.
 
 I  am immensely grateful to Prof W J T Mitchell (University of Chicago) for his research on ‘Time, iconology of time and image theory’ that inspired me to contextualise my new works as an artist in the last two years. I am thankful  for his participation  as a keynote speaker  for webinar hosted by Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, IGNCA , New Delhi. Sharing Prof Mitchells keynote address during the webinar.
 
Epoch 2020 is scheduled to exhibit in physical gallery space in 2022.
Sharing my Rewinding moments of 2021.Thanks from the bottom of my heart  for your appreciation and engagement with my works
 
Wishing you all safe and protected times ahead. Peace, good health, and prosperity for you and your loved ones.Warm wishes & regards,
Shelly Jyoti
www.shellyjyoti.com 
 
REWIND 2021
EXHIBITIONS 2021
SOLO SHOW & WEBINAR:
Hosted by Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, IGNCA New Delhi
Click to view the event : https://youtu.be/1QaRDXWEC4A
Epoch 2020: Relevance of Gandhi in present tense -Time, Rebirth, Iconology  by Shelly Jyoti
Eminent speakers  across the continent discussed and deliberated on ‘what is time, times in pandemic, relevance of Gandhi in present times”
 GROUP SHOWS
 2021: Yatra Nariyastra  curated by Uma Nair, National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi.
 2021: Reimagining the Global Village curated  by Nirmal Raja. Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, Wisconsin 
 
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT: Lectures, Interviews, Talks 
 LECTURE:India International Center, New Delhi, January 2021
Translating Gandhi in 21st Century : Journey of a textile artist
Click to view :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icaiVFcVsF8
 INTERVIEW: In conversation with Waswo x Waswo
 Click to view: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWJ7b6jrjEA&t=636s
 LECTURE: FGV  Brazil School of Business, November  2021
Gandhi’s Thought leadership in relevance to the present tense: The journey of a textile artist By Shelly Jyoti
 LECTURE: Consulate of India, San -Francisco, USA Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav
Khadi and Ajrakh embodies swadeshi movement: Relevance of Gandhi in present times by shelly jyoti  Click to view : https://fb.watch/a5L69T3-fg/
 
ART & DESIGNS INSTITUTES / HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS 
FILM SCREENING &LECTURE: JD BIRLA  Institute of art and design, Kolkata,  Mapping Ajrakh traditions in Contemporary art and craft by Shelly Jyoti
ARTIST TALK :National Institute of Fashion Technology NIFT, Delhi & Bangalore, 
ARTIST TALK :Sri Ram School, Moulsari, Gurgaon, Haryana
Select videos: lectures | Interviews| An animated Film
UNSETTLED WINDS- Animated video installation 
by SHELLY JYOTI | Year: 2021| Duration: 00.03.19 minutes | Format: MP4 |Size: 1920x 1080px |Genre: Art/ Animation |Supported by Indira Gandhi National Centre for the  Arts
CLICK TO VIEW FULL VIDEO RECORDING OF THE OPENING OF NEW WORKS AND LECTURES
PRESENTATION OF NEW WORKS
‘EPOCH 2020: RELEVANCE OF GANDHI IN PRESENT TENSE Time, Rebirth, Iconology by SHELLY JYOTI
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Prof. W.J.T Mitchell is a Gaylord Donnelley Distinguished Service Professor of English and Art History at the University of Chicago. He works particularly on the history and theories of media, visual art, and literature, from the eighteenth century to the present.
LECTURE: India International Center, New Delhi, January 2021
Translating Gandhi in 21st Century : Journey of a textile artist
 JANUARY 2021
In conversation with Waswo X Waswo 
Indigo, Khadi, Gandhi, and Shelly Jyoti

 JUNE 2021
LECTURE: Consulate of India, San -Francisco, USA Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav
Khadi and Ajrakh embodies swadeshi movement: Relevance of Gandhi in present times
by shelly jyoti
 DECEMBER 2021
A Guest lecture at a Business school
 FGV EAESP São Paulo School of Business Administration, Brazil

November 10, 2021
 
 
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STUDIO NEWS: NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2021

STUDIO NEWS: NEWSLETTER  DECEMBER 2021

 

STUDIO NEWS:
NEWSLETTER  |  DECEMBER  2021
Shelly Jyoti:New Delhi based A visual & textile artist, fashion designer, poet and an independent curator 
PRESENTATION OF NEW WORKS
‘EPOCH 2020: RELEVANCE OF GANDHI IN PRESENT TENSE Time, Rebirth, Iconology 
by SHELLY JYOTI
Webinar Recorded Link:
CLICK TO VIEW FULL VIDEO RECORDING OF THE OPENING OF NEW WORKS AND LECTURES
Dear friends, family and colleagues,
 Greetings, 
 Thank you to all who could join the webinar hosted by Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, titled  ‘EPOCH 2020:  RELEVANCE OF GANDHI IN PRESENT TENSE  Time | Rebirth | Iconology’ by Shelly Jyoti on October 29, 2021. 
 It was an extraordinary evening filled with thought-provoking lectures and deliberations on ‘Time, times in pandemic, relevance of Gandhi in present times’. Our keynote speaker Wjt Mitchell from University of Chicago gave an insightful lecture on ‘Threads, fibre and yarns’ using it as metaphor for temporality of time on Epoch 2020 and epoche, the punctuated moment in our present times. 
Prof Wjt Mitchell’s research on time, iconology of time and image theory enabled me contextualise my new works as an artist in the last two yearsI am indeed grateful to him for accepting to be a keynote speaker for this event.
Many thanks to our eminent panelist speakers around the globe for providing, conceptual backdrop to the exhibition from their own research and experience. Sharing the link to individual lectures below. 
Special thanks to Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts for giving me the platform to present my new works on a virtual medium 
Sharing the fully recorded  event at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts IGNCA You tube link. You may like to revisit the same at your convenience.
Thank you all once again for your encouragement and participation in my artistic journey.
Happy festive times ahead!
Warm regards 
Shelly Jyoti 
 
Keynote speaker: Prof WJT Mitchell
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Prof. W.J.T Mitchell
 is a Gaylord Donnelley Distinguished Service Professor of English and Art History at the University of Chicago. He works particularly on the history and theories of media, visual art, and literature, from the eighteenth century to the present.
WEBINAR SPEAKERS 
EPOCH 2020: RELEVANCE OF GANDHI IN PRSENT TENSE .
Time| RebIrth | Iconology. By SHELLY JYOTI
 
DR SACHIDANAND JOSHI 
WELCOME ADDRESS BY MEMBER SECRETARY IGNCA:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrEmdNufv-s

 

SMT TARA GANDHI BHATTACHARJEE CHIEF GUEST 
Granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, Chairperson Gandhi National Museum, New delhi  https://youtu.be/d2A0t5Gvdgg
 

RAJMATA SHUBHANGINI RAJE GAEKWAD CHIEF GUEST
Her Highness Rajmata Shubhagini Raje Gaekwad of Baroda,Chancellor of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-oQpyDMHbA&t=49s

PROF WJT MITCHELL KEYNOTE SPEAKER,
A Gaylord Donnelley Distinguished Service Professor of English and Art History at the University of Chicago https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfxjTD_RC1w&t=10s

PROF LISA TRIVEDI 
Chair, Professor of History in Hamilton College. A cultural and social historian of modern South Asia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6wQkQmtMWw

PROF PRADOSH MISHRA
 Professor Department of History of Art Faculty of Arts, Banaras Hindu University. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StjYAmWG0gI
 
PROF SAMPADANADA MISHRA 
A Sanskrit scholar, Sahitya Akademi & President of India Awardee, Professor of Public Leadership
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Obvu7xGkLuE&t=11s

LINA VINCENT
An independent art historian and curator with two decades experience in arts management
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Coq3c1ZUd58&t=17s

SHELLY JYOTI
New delhi based visual and textile artist, fashion designer, poet, independent curator
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD5zTQAdPok&t=1516s.

Our mailing address is:
shellyjyoti12@gmail.com 
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