Artist Dipali Deshpande’s exhibition, titled ‘Resham’, is inspired by the ethnic mess created by women in the house during festivals

Seized by the love for the nine-yard, Indian women's clothing, and her love for textiles since her childhood, artist Dipali Deshpande’s recent works are now on display at an exhibition aptly titled ‘Resham’.

Deshpande’s paintings feature draperies, textiles, and handlooms. Her ‘Fashion painting’ are inspired by the ethnic mess created by women in the house during festive days and their different types of characteristics. She depicts ‘what is a woman’ through her works in the form of paintings and establishments.

Growing up in a small town in western Maharashtra, most of her childhood days were spen at her family’s textile showroom with her grandparents, observing fabric folds and their free flow. The feel of different types of fabrics always fascinated her. Specifically, she is in deep love with the luxury and richness of the silk. She always believes that it is this subject which
has chosen her and not her who chose it.

“I see so much beauty in Indian culture and the aesthetic of women’s fashion here – the style of their hair, drapes, jewellery – all of those portray traditional India. Inspired by silk and handloom fabric, these are the treasures of India that I feel need to be preserved, which is something I do through my art,” says Deshpande.

Her works reflect that she not only has a special taste of various types of fabric or textile materials but also her deep study about the invention of the nine-yard wonder and its evolution from Indus Valley civilization to today’s modern trendy drapes.
Deshpande appears to be very much interested in representing her observation which involves the texture, colour, and embroidery motifs including other accessories relating to clothes we wear. Her paintings reflect her study of European, Russian, and Indian old masters, and their palettes. Old Masters like Rembrandt, Durer, Leonardo Da Vinci and Raja
Ravi Varma inspire her.

She is very careful in choosing her painting materials – which substrates are best for oil painting, what solvent and the medium ratio is important at which state of painting, after completion of the painting, what kind of varnish is required at what time is more important.She applies different types of oil painting methods as per the demand of work.

A 41-year-old artist, she feels her real exciting journey has just begun. She wants to follow her passion and take her love for textile to different levels no matter what.

The exhibition is on display at AIFACS Gallery from April 16 – 22