Local Movements

DCH | SAURASHTRA PATOLA

Local Movements was a craft design project funded by Development Commissioner for Handlooms, Delhi, focused on the Rajkot Single Ikat Patola cluster. The project began with understanding the craft and its visual vocabulary, particularly how many traditional Patola motifs are themselves derived from aerial views, architecture and the landscapes around them. This became a starting point for looking at Rajkot through its streets, landmarks and built environment, translating these observations into new Patola compositions. Alongside the visual development, a Khadi cotton warp was introduced and tested on the loom, with the process closely considered around the loom set-up and ease of the weavers. Softer, more pastel colourways were also explored with the intention of opening the craft to a newer customer without losing its identity. The process made clear that even a change as simple as a Khadi warp or a softer colour palette could alter who the craft speaks to, while the loom and its makers continued to determine what was possible.