Artist Statement :
He being an institute on his own, had a dream :
“ I have been working out an idea to setup an establishment where all the schools of traditional handlooms can join hands especially for their technical expertise as well as to express classical, aesthetics and artistic richness of heritage of India. The aim here, is to explore the skills. Artist will not only work for themselves to continue the dyeing forms of art, but they will also pass on their skills and vision by training the new generation of dedicated students. Further the project aims at providing a common platform to the artists, art lovers and art collectors not only from India but from across the world.
Not financial but moral support from any where and from any one, will give tremdouens encouragement to the establishment.”
Born :
Education :
- 1968-71 : Post Graduation in Textile Design from National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad
- 1964-68 : Studied painting (diploma) from Faculty of Fine Arts, M.S. University, Vadodara
Experience :
From Feb. 1975 : Worked (hold the post of Deputy Director-Design) with Weavers Service Centre for more then 20 years at many places in India. Explored the possibility and developed the traditional handloom products of India. Worked on the concept of “tree of Life”, the hand painted (kalamkari) textiles for the exhibitions arranged by Govt. of India, under the program called “Festivals of India” at England, France, Germany, Japan and Russia.
He had set up a weaving, dyeing and painting/printing in Ahmedabad where he conducted workshops. He also was a visiting faculty to teach textile design and drawing at NID, NIFT, CEPT and other institutions. He also took many projects for developing designs in handloom and allied crafts in India and abroad.
His studio is now being taken care of by his daughter Praveena Mahicha Soni. The studio undertakes workshops in dyeing and painting/printing in Ahmedabad ..
Exhibitions :
- 2016 : Indiaart Gallery, Pune
- 2013 : Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai
- 2012 : LalitKala Gallery, Delhi
- 2007 : Chitrakala Parishad, Benglore
- 2002 : Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai
- 1988 : Contemporary Art Gallery, Ahmedabad
- 1999 : Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai
- 1997 : Alliance Franchise, Ahmedabad
- 1996 : Gujarat State L.K.A. Art gallery, Ahmedabad
- 1995 : Galleria Art Gallery, Mumbai
- 1993 : Taj Art Gallery, Indore
- 1989 : Bajaj Art Gallery, Mumbai
Awards :
- 1992 : Painting on cotton (natural dyes) from Ahmedabad Municipal Corp.
- 1989 : watercolors painting from A.I.F.A.C.S. Delhi
- 1968 : Watercolors landscape from Mysore
- 1966 : lithography print, from Gujarat state L.K.A.
Paintings in collection :
- Shri A. B. Vajpayee former Prime Minister of India
- Mr. Bill Clinton former President of U.S.A.
- Textile Minister’s office, Govt. of India
- Chief Minister’s office, Govt. of Gujarat
- Rajyapal Bhavan, Gujarat State
- Saeta Museum, New Mexico, U.S.A.
- Karanavati Museum, Ahmedabad
- Taj Hotel, Mumbai
- Hotel GRT Grand, Chennai
- Air India, Mumbai
- Tata Tea, Munnar
- Ambuja Cement, Mumbai
- Ms. Smita Godrej
- Mrs. Elisabeth Kerkar – Mumbai
- Reliance Industries, Mumbai
- NIFT, Gandhinagar
- Athi River Mining Ltd. Nairobi, (Kenya)
- Maharaja Express -Indian Railway Govt. of India
More about his projects :
- Under the Tamilnadu State Govt. Handloom Design Development Programme through National Institute Of Design, Ahmedabad, successfully implemented, new 100 designs for weaving sari on jacquard loom at Coimbature (Tamilnadu).
- A project to make 100 hand painted silk sari was completed for “Grjari” the Gujarat State H/H Development Corporation.
- The Development Commissioner For Handicraft appointed me to make new designs for Shri Vinayakbhai Salvi under the Shilp Guru Award for weaving of PATOLA double ikat of Patan Gujarat. New but in continuation of patola tradition. 10 designs were made and given.
- Under Decentralized training cum workshop for design development were held at Coimbature, Salem and Paramkudi. In Tamilnadu, through NID.
- At NID, NIFT, CEPT workshops were held to show the technique of vegetable dyeing and printing to the students and designers.
- Through SEWA- TFC Ahmedabad a 25 days workshop of traddle weaving was under taken for the participants from SABAH - Nepal.
- On the proposal by SABAH – Nepal, visited Kathamandu, Nepal to guide in the setting up of weaving and vegetable dyeing work shed for SABAH at Kathmandu, Nepal.
- Worked as a Textile Designer with Shri Sundriyal Khemraj, an expert weaver of Panipat (Haryana) to make tapestry (wall hanging) for his “SANT KABIR” award.
- Developed silk stole, scarf designs in vegetable dyes for SEWA-TFC, Ahmedabad.
