In this three-part series, led by Lavina Baldota, Curator of the Sutr Santati exhibition, and Benjamin Divall, Independent Textile Curator, the symposium outlined historical and contemporary contexts, explored technique, motif and fibre, and brought together in conversation Australian and Indian makers and creators. The symposium took place during the opening weekend of Sutr Santati: Then. Now. Next. exhibition. The exhibition is the first textile exhibition to travel outside of India conceived, curated and created by a team of Indian academics, designers, artists and artisans.

Scene setting Indian textiles and Sutr Santati

Friday 12 May 2023, 2 – 6pm

In this talk, Lavinda Baldota discusses the making of the project and introduces the exhibition. Benjamin Divall follows this introduction with a brief history of Indian textiles and their importance to trade before European intervention. Finally, Curator Mayank Kaul discusses Sutr Santati in a post-colonial context.

Textiles for the future artistry, sustainability and opportunity

Friday 12 May 2023, 2 – 6pm

Carol Cains hosts a discussion on textile techniques and how contemporary artists are revitalising them with modern innovations in an effort to keep their use and history alive, and share Indian textiles with the world. The talk includes a panel discussion with three exhibition artists, Paresh Patel, Purvi Doshi and Manish Saksena, and educator Samira Shah.

Makers and creators: dialogues between artists and designers across the Indian Ocean

Friday 12 May 2023, 2 – 6pm

Renowned textiles artists from a cross-section of textile disciplines discuss their practice, what inspires them and share their stories. This talk — featuring Gaurang Shah, Kudrat Makkar, Ritika Vohra, Kaimurai and Maggie Baxter — included an opportunity for audience members to ask questions, footage and examples of the artist's textiles and the techniques required in their exquisite work.

Featured speakers

• Lavina Baldota | Exhibition curator
• Ben Divall | Independent curator
• Carol Cains | Senior Curator, Asian and Pacific Art, National Gallery of Australia
• Paresh Patel | Designer, maker, and founder of Royal Brocades in Ridrol, India
• Purvi Doshi | Designer and maker, Kutch, India
• Manish Saksena | Textile co-creator
• Gaurang Shah | Hyderabad based designer
• Kudrat Makkar | Founder and Creative Director, Mastani Melbourne and Karnataka, India
• Ritika Vohra | Artist, postgraduate student, RMIT, Melbourne
• Kaimurai | Textile artist, Karnakata, India
• Maggie Baxter | Textile artist, Perth, Australia (livestream)
• Mayank Kaul | Curator (livestream via India)
• Sutr Santati | Artisan weavers and embroiders
• Samira Shah | Educationist / Social Entrepreneur Le Mark School of Art / Bhavyata Foundation.