Stamping Tradition

For centuries, the age-old craft of pressing and stamping fabric with carved wooden blocks has been practiced in India. While woodblock printing originated in China about 4000 years ago, the reign of the Mughal Empire in India popularized this art form, circulating colourful floral designs across the nation. Passing down this tradition through generations contributed to India becoming one of the world’s largest textile producers. Even today, despite there being such a vast industry, artisans practice block printing by hand without the use of machinery. Small villages such as Bagru, and Rajasthan, which can be seen filled with families standing aside long tables covered with fabric, and chiseling designs on blocks of wood, inspired me to reconcile with my Indian heritage while modernizing it to my taste. As I spent days hand-carving geometric motifs on blocks of wood and printing each block multiple times with fabric paint on cotton tote bags, it allowed me to admire my country's customs and traditions.