Join us for a hand-knotting workshop led by Paola Sinisterra, Textile Specialist at Centre for Heritage Arts & Textile (CHAT), organised as part of mould the wing to match the photograph, currently on view at AAAs library. 

“My work is physical—my body, my materials, the way of life, the environment, all work together,” said artist Mrinalini Mukherjee in a 1993 interview. In her practice, hand-knotting acted as the principal gesture—a source of strength, a way to mark time, and a form of resilience.  

Inspired by Mukherjee’s artworks, this workshop invites participants to learn basic knotting techniques, such as the weavers knot, the square knot, the monkey’s fist knot, and others. Participants will be invited to draw their own knotting instructions inspired by Mukherjee’s installation instructions.  

This event is part of mould the wing to match the photograph, an exhibition that draws on the archive of Mrinalini Mukherjee. She was one of the most prominent sculptors in India, known for her experimentation with form and materiality over her forty-year practice. The exhibition stages an encounter between Pari (1986), the artist’s monumental hemp fibre sculpture, and archival materials with detailed installation instructions and extensive photographic documentation of Pari and similar works.  

Image: Courtesy of Paola Sinisterra.
Image: Courtesy of Paola Sinisterra.

The workshop is limited to fifteen people on a first-come, first-served basis. (Children under twelve must be accompanied by an adult.) 

Free and open to the public with registration.  

Paola Sinisterra is a textile designer by training and has been leading the making programmes at CHAT (Centre for Heritage Arts and Textile) Lab and Studio in Hong Kong for the past five years. Working closely with the curatorial and learning teams, the CHAT Textile team offers artists and visitors tactile experiences that foster understanding of materials, textile processes, and the culture of making.  

"mould the wing to match the photograph" is generously supported by Mimi Brown & Alp Erçil, and Virginia & Wellington Yee. The Mrinalini Mukherjee Archive was made possible with the support of the Mrinalini Mukherjee Foundation and Godrej Seeds and Genetics Ltd. We would like to extend our gratitude to the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, New Delhi, for loaning us Pari (1986) for this exhibition. 

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Curator-Led Exhibition Tours: “mould the wing to match the photograph” 
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