Food & Color: Creating Images with Henna

press release: The University of Wisconsin–Madison Arts Institute (presenter), the Department of Art History (host) and co-sponsors Art Department, Design Studies Department, the Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection and the Center for South Asia welcome Meeta Mastani as the Interdisciplinary Artist in Residence for the Fall 2016 semester. Professor Henry Drewal, Department of Art History, is the lead faculty for this residency.

The UW–Madison Arts Institute’s Interdisciplinary Arts Residency Program brings innovative artists to campus to teach semester-long, interdepartmental courses and to publicly present their work for campus and community audiences.

Meeta Mastani (Meeta is her preferred and first name) is an internationally known print/dye artist, design specialist and community development advocate. For the last 25 years, she has worked at the intersection of sustainable development, culture, craft, design, arts and retail, helping to generate livelihoods for marginalized individuals and communities. She is the co-founder of Bindaas Unlimited, a sustainable, fair trade textile and craft business. Her work was recently shown in the exhibition “The Fabric of India” at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.  

During her residency at UW–Madison, Meeta will teach “Tactile Textiles – From 2D to 3D” to give students an opportunity to learn about the art of painting, printing and dyeing in non-toxic colors along with learning about the global artistry of draping and ancient craft traditions in South Asia. Her students and campus collaborators will present an inter-disciplinary installation and performance at the end of the semester. There will also be guest artists speaking at public events and working with students throughout the semester.

Public Events | go.wisc.edu/meeta

All the events are free and take place in Madison, Wisconsin unless noted otherwise. Events are subject to change. Visit website for more details including additional events not listed below.

Wednesday, September 14, 1:45 – 4:15 p.m., Third Floor Terrace, Humanities Building | 455 N. Park St: Food and Color: Creating Images with Henna: Participants will learn how to transform food and henna into political and decorative themes. Supplies will be provided.

Tuesday, September 27 | 5:00 – 6:00 p.m., Room L140, Elvehjem Building | 800 University Ave.: Artist Talk with Sarah K Khan: Public event and screening of Sarah K Kahn's film "Bowing to No One." Kahn, a multi-media artist, will discuss art as a tool of political expression through her character Amrita Simla.

Tuesday, October 18 | 5:00 – 6:00 p.m., Room L140, Elvehjem Building | 800 University Ave: Artist Talk with Lakshmi Narayan Kadambi: Public event and workshop on the history and draping styles of India.

Friday, October 21 | 8:30 –10:15 a.m., Madison Concourse Hotel, Parlor 638 | 1 W. Dayton St. Panel “Decay and Resilience in the Indian Arts and Craft Sector with a Focus on Textiles”. Panel includes Meeta Mastani, Lakshmi Narayan Kadambi, Sarah K Khan and Henry Drewal. Part of the Annual Conference on South Asia; Registration and Fee Required

More information at: southasiaconference.wisc.edu

December Final Event: Details to be announced: Meeta, her students and campus collaborators will present an interdisciplinary installation and performance as a culmination of her residency.