Kolkata : Textile artist Sunetra Lahiri transforms memory into material in her evocative two-day solo exhibition Elemental 2.0, currently on view at Kolkata Centre for Creativity. Though brief in duration, the exhibition leaves a lasting impression—stitched with nostalgia, fantasy and quiet joy.
Curated by Kounteya Sinha with art direction by Oiendrila Ray Kapur, Elemental 2.0 unfolds as a multi-sensory journey, blurring the boundaries between craft, fine art and storytelling.
A Tapestry of Memory and Myth
Visitors are welcomed on the first floor by a striking ceiling-to-floor tapestry handwoven in Tussar silk. Rich in colour and layered with familiar motifs, the mural invites close inspection, rewarding viewers with intricate details that evoke both curiosity and recollection.
As the exhibition progresses, Lahiri presents Kantha-stitched tapestries, embroidered wall panels inspired by episodes from the Ramayan’s Aranyakand, and a visually arresting display of textile works arranged almost like a couture runway presentation. Each section is thoughtfully scaled and placed, allowing narratives to unfold organically.
At the heart of the exhibition lies the artist’s deeply personal note reflecting on a childhood shaped by illustrated books and her grandmother’s storytelling. Early influences—from the whimsical verses of Sukumar Ray to the wit of Gopal Bhar and old comics—surface vividly in her work.
“What we hear as a child percolates deep inside your consciousness and eventually comes out,” Lahiri shares. Describing her artistic universe as simple, innocent and fantastical, she adds, “My art is happy. I want people to look at it and feel good.”
The Mesmerising Marine Wall
Among the most captivating installations is a wall composed of individually framed embroidered fish—each distinct in species, colour and stitch language. Inspired by coral reef marine life, the pieces demonstrate remarkable technical precision and patience.
“The marine world is endless,” Lahiri notes. “Even if I spend my entire life working only on fish, I will never finish. It’s such a beautiful world—and one we are slowly destroying.”
The installation subtly bridges fantasy and environmental consciousness, adding contemporary relevance to the exhibition’s otherwise nostalgic tone.
Craft as Collaboration
Integral to Lahiri’s practice is her close collaboration with artisans. Each artwork credits the artisan alongside the artist, emphasising shared authorship. Working with two dedicated artisans, Lahiri ensures that every piece receives individual attention.
“Each artisan works on only one piece,” she explains, “because every hand has its own stitch language.”
Curator Kounteya Sinha and Art Director Oiendrila Ray Kapur noted, “With Elemental 2.0, our intention was to create a space that feels immersive rather than observational. Sunetra’s works carry layers of memory, craft and quiet joy, and our role was to let those narratives breathe through scale, placement and flow. Every section invites the viewer into her world—where textiles are not just seen, but felt, remembered and experienced.”
Eminent Presence
The exhibition witnessed the presence of several distinguished personalities from the worlds of art, culture and music, including iconic former Chairperson of the Crafts Council of India Ruby Pal Choudhury, President’s Medal winner and National Awardee Mahamaya Sikdar, internationally acclaimed artist Nalini Tyabji, musician Anupam Roy, and veteran Bengali actress Saswati Guha Thakurta, among others.
Textiles that Breathe
In Elemental 2.0, Sunetra Lahiri does not merely exhibit textiles—she weaves memory, craftsmanship and optimism into a living, breathing narrative. The result is an exhibition that feels intimate yet expansive, rooted in tradition yet resonant with contemporary imagination.
For Kolkata’s art fraternity, Elemental 2.0 stands as a reminder that textiles are not static objects of craft, but dynamic carriers of memory—where threads remember, imagine and breathe.
