Dilli Haat Design Intervention

In mid January, my friend Yasmin and I were asked to work with paper crafts people from Nepal and Bhutan and help them improve their existing products and develop new ones for an exhibition at the end of 10 days.
It was challenging and alot of fun. The women were an absolute blast to work with and I hope to fetch up with them in Nepal and Bhutan later this year and have a look at their paper units!
I've posted some pictures of the process and products here.

A woman from Bangladesh taught us the intricacies of Batik on cloth, which we then evolved to paper - this was something they'd never done themselves before - in Bangladesh and Nepal a few experiments had been carried out, but no final product had resulted. Hopefully this was a push in the right direction. A lot like Encaustic.

Explaining to Aruna of Jamarko, Nepal the pattern in which the lamp should be stamped. Aruna's and her sister started Jamarko years ago. They source Lokta paper from a village 6 hours from Kathmandu and make and sell products in their store as well as several other stores in and around Delhi.

A broad and deep block is needed for wood block printing with wax. They usually use Paraffin, but again -it is flammable when overheated, so it is best to have a mix of beeswax and paraffin. It's safer.

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One of the lamps I worked on for the final show.

The finished lamp.


A lamp made by the Bangladeshi Batik craftwoman as directed and design by Aruna from Nepal.

A long-stitch I taught Aruna using their batik Lokta paper.


Some blinds that were taught to the Bhutanese and Nepalese craftswomen by Yasmin.
The paper used was the batik Lokta paper which would look wonderful against the light.


The final exhbition!

Getting a book cover woven from one of the craftsmen.

His fingers moved so fast! And the colours were wonderful. Check back for the finished book.