The seed — symbolic of beginnings signifies the conception of an idea. Just as a dot gives rise to a line, or the alphabet develops into a syllable, it ultimately forms a language of its own. The source — the seed, germinates into life, transforming and flowering into its ultimate form. The journey of cotton, which transforms from thread into a garment, was initially fashioned for the divine, and humankind chose to adapt it for themselves. In India, the only country in the world today with such a vast and varied heritage of craft clusters, wool, fibre, cotton, and silk have thrived in abundance, from the riversides to the mountain peaks, encompassing both plant and animal sources. Therefore, it is but natural that many contemporary artists turn to fibre and textile as a medium at some point in their creative practices. The Woven Path explores the journey of the seed, from its conception to the realisation of its ultimate purpose, as expressed in the artworks of contemporary artists which are part of the Saloni Doshi Collection. This exhibition in five sections reflects how the raw inspiration of an idea, much like a cotton seed, takes root and is nurtured into fulfilment. The arrangement follows a rhythm, guided by natural order and geometric proportions, with interventions and interpretations of the human mind shaping the final form of art. Each stage builds upon the previous one, moving seamlessly from the organic potential of nature to human influence, and from abstraction to clarity and purpose.
Sharan Apparao, 2024