Exhibition - Bonded thru Threaded Memories: Boisali Biswas

Buckham Fine Arts Project continues its 40th Anniversary with Spring Exhibitions, the sixth of ten presentations this season.

Through the tactile nature of fiber art, Boisali invites viewers to immerse themselves in a sensory journey, tracing the contours of each woven line and unraveling the stories woven within. 

“As an immigrant fiber artist from India, my work is constantly informed by my existence between the two cultures, woven by the threads of transcending memories, nostalgia and cultural identity. Most often I find myself drawn to my roots, exploring the complexity of migration and belonging. I contemplate on how cultures, countries are bound together by the warp and weft of civilization, how we are wrapped in cloth ever since our inception.”

Bonded thru Threaded Memories presented at Buckham Gallery is an immersion in delicate fibers, intimate shadows and memories.

Artist Statement:

As an immigrant fiber artist from India, my work is constantly informed by my existence between the two cultures, woven by the threads of transcending memories, nostalgia and cultural identity. Most often I find myself drawn to my roots, exploring the complexity of migration and belonging. I contemplate on how cultures, countries are bound together by the warp and weft of civilization, how we are wrapped in cloth ever since our inception.

The delicate and nuanced thread work in Jamdani (a traditional weave from my country and Bangladesh) creates a sense of ethereal beauty and translucency, which I find deeply inspiring. As a contemporary artist, through the use of this traditional technique I aim to create modern, non-traditional art that push the boundaries of what is possible with this timeless art form. The shadows produced by the layering and interplay of light on the intricate weaves create a mesmerizing depth and movement with patterns and textures.  Through the tactile nature of fiber art, I invite viewers to immerse themselves in a sensory journey, tracing the contours of each woven line and unraveling the stories woven within. 

Apart from delving into the realms of childhood reminiscences, this body of work also reflects the wanderlust that has taken me across borders and continents. Some of those countries, places and people have left an indelible mark on my soul and have evoked a deep sense of connection to my home country. Blending strands of cultural exchange and personal discovery, I strive to blur the lines between past and present, home and abroad through ordinary iconic metaphors.

The inevitable shifts in our contemporary world, environmental degradation and their unsettling impact on our future generation leave me overwhelmed. And it deepens my yearning for the bygone days. But nostalgia is always bittersweet and I find solace in making new memories with my art, an essential thread in the fabric of human existence. 

I would like to acknowledge two poet soulmates of mine, whose words have resonated with me to the extent that I wanted to incorporate them in this body of work, along with my own words. They are Shuvra Das and Bhaswati Ghosh. 

Artist Bio:

Boisali Biswas is a studio artist working in mixed-media fibers, currently residing in West Bloomfield, MI. She is originally from India, and her formative years were spent at Visva-Bharti International University, founded by the Nobel Laureate,

Rabindranath Tagore. The essence of that profound experience of being in tune with nature throughout the educational journey has stayed with her and continues to influence her work. She has always had a deep-rooted attachment to the traditional art forms of her culture-rich homeland. There is an underlying influence of the captivating traditional patterns and techniques and usage of stunningly rich array of colors in Indian art. Living in this country for over three decades and adapting to Western styles, techniques, inspirations in concert with her background and fascinations has made her Art into a cauldron of multicultural assemblages that are very unique and feast for the eyes.