Artist Intro: Jessie Mordine Young
For Brooklyn-based artist, educator, writer and curator Jessie Mordine Young, travel has always been more than a way of seeing the world; it is a way of truly understanding the world that we are rooted in. Her practice as a weaver has been greatly shaped through her experiences of travel - an evolving dialogue between place, materials, and people who uphold the legacy of traditional crafts. Jessie believes the life of a traveller holds a mirror to the life of a craftsman, both roles allowing you to develop a greater sense of empathy: “Craft is rooted in intention and care,” she says. “That's the same with travel. To be a good traveler, you have to be rooted in intention and care.”
Partner Spotlight: Kala Raksha
In Sumraser, India, a centre of craft revolution is making its mark, stitch by stitch. The Kala Raksha Trust was founded in 1993 as a not-for-profit initiative, under the guidance of American social entrepreneur Judy Frater and indigenous artisan Parakash Bhanani. They shared a vision to preserve the rich, traditional crafts of Kutch, which were being undervalued and at risk of slipping away from society.
Partner Spotlight: Wabisabi Project
As you drive out southwest of Jaipur, toward Bagru, away from urban city bustle, the bright sights and sounds fading into a wide expanse of rural farmland, fresh air, roaming herds of cattle, antelope, and camels, birds sweeping the sky – a sense of calm takes its place. It’s here, on the periphery, that you will find the workshop of Wabisabi Project – a studio devoted to preserving the legacy of traditional block printing and natural dyes.
Partner Spotlight: We are KAL
We set down with Angtak and Catherine, founders of KAL and our partners in Ladakh, India, to learn more about their how they infuse the slow nature of textile practices into their rural life in the Himalayas. | Photos by Nabina Nazar.
Photo Journal: Ladakh Textile Traditions by NAbina NAzar
Photographer Nabina Nazar recently spent time in Ladakh, India to document the region’s textile processes with our partners KAL. Nabina was gracious enough to share some of her photos with us. These images tell a visual story of the rich history of the region, at the base of the Himalayan mountains, where life is connected to the seasons and textiles are still created by hand.
If you find these photos inspiring, you can join us for a textile tour in Ladakh this year.
On Vastu: Jaipur’s Best Kept Secret
Himanshu Verma is an arts curator, artist, and independent scholar based in Jaipur. He leads heritage walks across the country and is the founder of Red Earth, an independent arts organisation that works with Indian contemporary visual art, design as well as diverse forms of cultural expression. Here, he discussed Jaipur’s best kept secret: Vastu.
Crafts of Kutch: Trip Recap
In Thread Caravan’s inaugural Crafts of Kutch experience, participants were fully immersed into the rich and storied craft traditions of Gujarat’s Kutch region, a land shaped by centuries of nomadic movements, trade, and artistic heritage. Over the course of eight days, we connected with master artisans and learned textile techniques through hands-on learning experiences. Below, we dive into the unique experiences included in the trip itinerary.
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