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Kansas City-based artist and photographer Spandita Malik (Indian, born 1995) collaborates with women across many Indian states to create embroidered portraits that embody and empower their subjects.

In 2019, Malik documented survivors of domestic and gender-based violence through photographs printed on locally sourced fabrics with a travel grant from the Parsons School of Design. To counter the colonial gaze often reproduced through the medium of photography, Malik invited the women to embroider their own portraits in both traditional and innovative styles. This original series, titled Nā́rī (a  Sanskrit word meaning woman, wife, female, or sacrifice), gave way to another project, Vadhu (translating to bride in Hindi), in which Malik collaborates with women to reinterpret their wedding portraits. Kemper Museum will present Malik’s first museum solo exhibition of recent works from the artist’s ongoing series Nā́rī and Vadhu. 

This exhibition is organized by Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art and curated by Krista Alba, assistant curator.

Spandita Malik (Indian, born 1995), Nuzrat Praween, from the series Nā́rī, 2019, photographic transfer print on voile fabric, chikankari embroidery, 36.5 x 43 inches.

Spandita Malik (Indian, born 1995), Radha from the series Vadhu, 2021, photographic transfer print on khaddar fabric, phulkari, 28.5 x 40 inches.

Spandita Malik (Indian, born 1995), Sarfaraz from the series Nā́rī, 2020, photographic transfer print on khadi, zardozi embroidery, appliqué, 54.5 x 32.5 inches.

Spandita Malik (Indian, born 1995), Rajni Mehra II from the series Vadu, 2021, Photographic transfer print on khaddar fabric, phulkari embroidery, 25 x 31.5 inches.

Spandita Malik is a visual artist from India. Her work is concerned with the current global socio-political state of affairs with an emphasis on women’s rights and gendered violence. Malik specializes in process based work in photography, recently with photographic surface embroideries and collaborations with women in India. Malik’s work in expanded documentary and social-practice consciously emanates from the idea of decolonising the eye and aesthetic surrounding documentary photography of India. Malik is a visiting assistant professor at the Kansas City Art Institute and a studio resident at the Charlotte Street Art Foundation.

2019 M.F.A., Photography, Parsons School of Design, New York University, New York, NY

2017 Bachelor of Design, Fashion Design, National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Dehli, India

2016 Fashion Management, École Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Industries Textiles, Lille, France

2021 Spandita Malik: Threads of Identity, Visual Arts Center of New Jersey

2021 Vadhu: The Embroidered Bride, Baxter Street Camera Club, New York, NY

2022 say the dream was real and the wall imaginary, Jane Lombard Gallery, New York, NY 

2021 Photo London: indigo+madder, Sommerset House, London, UK

2020 In/Between: Transfigure, Ford Foundation Live Gallery, New York Live Arts, New York, NY

6 Rising Contemporary Artists Using Traditional Craft Techniques

These Beautiful Images Are A Harsh Critique of Gendered Violence In India

Exhibitions are always free thanks to the generosity of members and other donors. Join or donate today to support free access to contemporary art.

Spandita Malik Solo Exhibition

Spandita Malik (Indian, born 1995), Kosar from the series Nā́rī, 2019, photographic transfer print on khadi, gotta patti and zardozi embroidery, 60 x 72 inches. Courtesy of the artist. 