Art of Mental Health by Roots & Threads Collective: Saloni Sharma & Mohar Gupta
At this stage of our artistic careers, Roots & Threads is focused on expanding our collaborative practice, deepening our artistic techniques, and engaging with the community in meaningful ways. Our goal is to create art that is both visually impactful and socially relevant, blending our expertise in textile and ceramic arts while making these art forms accessible to a wider audience. This residency at Sparrow Artspace provides us with the dedicated space, time, and resources needed to develop a cohesive body of work—a collection of woven wall hangings and ceramic tribal art pieces.
Through this project, we will:
Explore and refine our artistic techniques, experimenting with weaving, recycled textile art, and sculptural forms. Promote sustainability in art by using recycled fabrics, paper, and found materials, encouraging environmentally responsible creativity.
Engage the community through hands-on workshops, sharing our knowledge of traditional craft techniques while fostering cultural appreciation and artistic skill-building.
Create opportunities for dialogue and learning, particularly for women and emerging artists, by sharing our journey as female artists in Calgary and offering mentorship.
This opportunity is essential for us because, as immigrant artists, we often face challenges in accessing resources, networks, and platforms to showcase our work. By receiving this support, we can further establish Roots & Threads as a sustainable, community-driven art collective while strengthening our individual and collaborative practices. This project will also set the foundation for future exhibitions, workshops, and collaborative projects that celebrate heritage, craft, and innovation in contemporary art.
Saloni Sharma & Mohar Gupta
Roots & Threads Collective, comprised of Saloni Sharma and Mohar Gupta, are a team of interior and textile designers from across India, bound by a deep passion for traditional Indian arts. Our regional backgrounds shine through in our previous works, which reflect the vibrant artistic traditions of our respective areas. In an exciting new endeavor, we have come together to merge our expertise in interior and textile design, focusing on traditional Indian art forms like woven wall hangings crafted from recycled materials and paper mache art made from repurposed paper. Through this collective practice, we delve into these diverse art forms with the shared mission of preserving and celebrating our cultural heritage.
Our vision is to learn from one another, conduct thorough research, and infuse traditional art with modern elements. By uniting our skills and perspectives, we aim to create a distinctive collection that will be featured in exhibitions and shared with the community. Our ultimate aspiration is to safeguard India's rich artistic legacy while bringing its essence to life for the community here in Calgary. Through this collaboration, we seek to blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, producing recycled wall hangings and paper mache creations that resonate with today's audience while staying true to our roots. We are thrilled by the potential impact of this collective journey and are eager to share our work with a broader audience.