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North House Welcomes Visiting Indian Traditional Craft Artisans

Jul 18, 2024 07:06AM ● By Editor
Images provided

By Jessa Frost of North House Folk School - July 18, 2024


For a folk school located more than two hours from an international airport, North House is graced with a surprising amount of international visitors. As a northern crossroads of all things traditional craft, we’ve welcomed craft artisans from Norway, Sweden, Russia, Japan, the UK, Nunavut, and beyond. But on July 27, we’ll be looking further south, as we welcome a delegation of four internationally acclaimed traditional craft artisans from India. The group is on a tour of Minnesota, following their participation at the International Folk Art Market in Santa Fe, NM, hosted by the Textile Center and Studio Ruyee of Minneapolis, MN. 

Shamji Vankar, a master weaver and textile artist from Kachahh, Gujarat will share his multi-generational traditions of spinning and handloom weaving.

 

Thilak Reddy of Kalamkari, Andhra Pradesh will share the 2,500 year old technique of Kamkari, hand-painting textiles.

 

Sufijan Khatri of Bhuj in the Kutch will share the 4,000 year old art of Ajrakh, a multi-step process of carving, washing, printing, dyeing, and boiling.

 

Abdullah Khatri of Kachahh, Gujarat will share Bandhani, a traditional dyeing method that creates intricate floral or figurative designs.

Our four guests will offer hands-on demonstrations and items for sale on Saturday, July 27 from 10am-2pm in the Blue Building on the North House campus. Stop down and get a glimpse of these unique artists representing just a sliver of the rich and diverse folk art practices of India.
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