EXHIBITION OPENING FRIDAY SEPT 22ND 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM

The Embrace: Threads that Bind Us - an installation by Madhura Nayak from Singapore, Tereza Barabash from Ukraine, Virginija Stigaitė from Lithuania

Ingrained in the spirit of every Indian are these three beautiful words 'Atithi devo bhava', which means ‘to treat our guests like we would treat our god!’ Before I take down my installation, I welcome the two guest artists into my world of creation celebrating weaving as a medium.

The two works added to my current installation are by Tereza Barabash and Virginija Stigaite. Both artists already connected by the work they did together, now join me in celebrating this amazing medium!

It is imperative that we explore the common threads that bind our worlds as communities lean on the support of others as they find the strength to persevere.

Being an outsider in New York City, like many others, I felt a sense of loneliness. These feelings were amplified to despair and helplessness when in challenging situations with no one to turn to. But it was in these times that I found glimmers of hope through the compassion of others. These strangers, each on their own path, came together to help my journey.

Though we come from different worlds, we’re connected by the invisible threads of humanity.

As the centerpiece in my installation where they now belong, is a dress created by artist Tereza Barabash and scarves created by artist Virginija Stigaite. The dress and scarves are encompassed with my Indigo weavings, with each piece unique with its own voice yet embracing each other and contributing to a harmonic whole.

Though often hidden, the threads serve as a reminder of our connections to each other. 'Atithi devo bhava' is based on the belief that all beings are connected, and small acts of kindness, give these ties strength.

As the centerpiece in the installation where they now belong, is a dress created by Tereza Barabash from Ukraine and a scarf created by artist Virginija Stigaite from Lithuania.

Learn more www.patternhive.live , www.trbarabash.blogspot.com , www.homofaber.com

@patternhive  @trbarabash @nytys_textile

Madhura Nayak’s art practice is multi-disciplinary with a focus on textiles as a medium. She aims to push the boundaries of a conventional and very popular resist dye process called tie and dye. Using techniques of ‘Bandhani’ from India and ’Shibori’ from Japan, she developed her own unique method she calls- 'Bandhori' which she looks forward to patenting. With interest rooted deep in the textile world, she also continues to create art using any medium necessary while exploring all the realms of creative textile processes. She was awarded a Masters in Fine Arts from the Lasalle College of the Arts Singapore in the year 2012. Madhura is currently an artist-in-residence with the Textile Arts Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Tereza Barabash born, lives and works in Lviv, Ukraine. She studied at Lviv National Academy of Arts (department of artistic textile) and in 2010 became a member of the National Union of Ukrainian Artists. Tereza works in textile, installation, land art, audiovisual art and graphics. Tereza received many awards for her creativity and activism, among them: the Gold Medal and Award of Akapi Foundation for The Best Debut on the 15 th International Triennial of Tapestry in Lodz, Poland (2016). She is an active participant of exhibitions, festivals, art projects in Ukraine and abroad in spite of the ongoing war in her home country. Her latest shows from 2022-23 were planned and executed from France and Lithuania before she returned to Lviv: the Demonstration of Instability in Lublin, Poland; Persona (Non) Grata in Ustka, Poland; XXI Lemkowskie Jerusalem in Lodz, Poland; Culture against war, Poznan, Poland; Exhibition within the Manifesta Biennale 14 in Prishtina, Kosovo; Like in a movie... in Dnipro, Ukraine; The Invisible Costs of War in Chicago, USA; Give Me Tomorrow in Lisbon, Portugal; Day on Earth in Krakow, Poland; Secondary Archive in Warszawa, Poland.

Virginija Stigaite, from Lithuania, has a small handweaving studio in Vilnius, Lithuania. She has a degree in Fashion Engineering and is driven to find new ways of combining silk and wool with linen, as well as bamboo and nettle fibres. Virginija is Lithuanian National certified handweaver and designer of wall hangings and garments. She works with commissions from private buyers producing wearable art and her creations are acquired by government officials as state gifts. Her works have been presented in Maison & Objet in Paris, Gateway to Japan in Tokyo, Handverk Og Honnun in Reykjavik, Artigiano in Milan, Palo Alto Art Fair and Meraki Pop-Up in California.

Virginija Stigaite is the heart and soul of a current collaborative project with Japanese stitching masters, creating unique artworks and deepening respect for the artistry and multidimensionality of handmade items in Lithuania and Japan.

In 2019 Virginija Stigaite has been invited to participate in Homo Faber Guide developed by the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship, an international non-profit organisation based in Switzerland. Virginija has been welcoming international visitors who love handwoven linen, journalists and TV crews to her studio ever since.