Exhibition Program: Abstract Patterns in Indian Textiles
Wed, 27 April, 2022
4:00pm
Sari (detail), Patan, Gujarat, 19th century. The Textile Museum Collection 6.63. Acquired by George Hewitt Myers in 1931.
The abstract and geometric patterns of Indian textiles are as varied as the innumerable techniques used to produce them, encompassing woven, surface and embellished cloths of all kinds. Geometric structures form the basis of all cloth with intersecting warps and wefts, and as such stripes and checks are found in the oldest textiles known from South Asia.
In this virtual talk, Rosemary Crill, former curator for South Asia at the Victoria and Albert Museum, will explore more than a millennia of textile design, production and change through a survey of India's vibrant and diverse abstract and geometric patterns.
About the Exhibition
Vibrant textiles have long been synonymous with Indian culture. Their distinctive abstract, floral and figurative patterns have inspired countless variations. Featuring masterworks from The Textile Museum Collection and the private collection of Karun Thakar, this major exhibition and accompanying publication showcase court weavings, folk embroideries and other fabrics from the eighth through the early 20th centuries. Learn more about the exhibition.
About Rosemary Crill
Rosemary Crill was a curator for South Asia at the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) in London for 36 years until her recent retirement. Specializing in Indian textiles and painting, she has published and lectured extensively in both areas. As well as contributions to many exhibition catalogs and journals, her books include Indian Embroidery, Marwar Painting, Indian Ikat Textiles, Chintz: Indian Textiles for the West and The Fabric of India, which accompanied a major exhibition at the V&A in 2015–2016.
How to Participate
This program will take place on Zoom. To participate, please register online, and we will email you a link and instructions for joining. Simply follow that link at the time the program starts (12 p.m. EDT / 9 a.m. PDT). When you register, you can also request to receive a reminder email one day before the program with the link included.
About the Series
Virtual and in-person programs explore themes from the exhibition Indian Textiles: 1,000 Years of Art and Design. Browse upcoming programs