Tasara, a space for artists to experiment with their craft

Art comes in all forms, and Tasara has been embracing it for over 25 years. The latest edition of the month-long textile art camp, held at Tasara, a centre for creative weaving in Beypore, Kozhikode, is no different. Here, 50 artists from 21 countries engage in creating, experiencing, and experimenting with art in a laid-back rural Kerala atmosphere for a month.

“Here, we get to experience art styles from different parts of the world. We learn from each other and share our knowledge. We go home much richer,” said Christina Fayor from France, whose unique and colourful, heavily embroidered tapestries are a major attraction at the camp.

Christina Fayor from France creating artwork at the textile art camp at Tasara in Beypore. | Photo Credit: K. Ragesh

For Benedetta Galli from Italy, the month-long camp is an escape from her mundane life back home. She makes mini tapestries on a loom while experimenting with various mediums.

A few walls made of jute fabric serve as an open canvas for any skilled artist who comes along. Saira Banu from Kottakkal arrived at Tasara to apply Mehendi on the hands of the artists at the camp. However, the creative atmosphere inspired her to try her art on a canvas for the first time. Her freehand Mehendi designs now adorn one of the jute walls. Aparna, a content writer who came to cover the event, also turned into an artist here, experimenting with her artwork on canvas for the first time.

“Art is one of the major factors that differentiates man from a machine. In this era of artificial intelligence, we need to hold our art close to the heart and preserve it as our distinction”, said Vasudevan Tasara, the main organiser of the camp.

The art camp that began on January 15 features some unique artists who have come up with some unusual arts.

Tapestry, a speciality of Tasara, appears in various forms depending on each artist. Tapestries by Balakrishnan K.V., co-founder of Tasara, are displayed across the campus, alongside those of the late artist Santha K.V. In addition, works by Kumko Kawasaki from Japan, Velu Vishwanathan—better known as Paris Vishwanathan—and Mirella Cherchi from Italy are on display.

Batik pieces by Gary Power from the UK and Uchida Makiko from Japan, a unique blend of natural and synthetic materials by Gary Dominique from France, felt art by Regina Mattmueller from Germany, modern art by Virginia Ryan and Fiona Ryan from Australia, embroidered circles by Tamara Russell from Australia, and embroidery-watercolor combinations by Maeve Hunter are some of the major attractions. Francis Kodankandath, an artist based in Kozhikode, has created unique tapestries using sarees.

The camp concludes on February 15.