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Spandita Malik: Jāḷī—Meshes of Resistance

International photographer and social practice artist Spandita Malik (Indian, born 1995) collaborates with women across North Indian states to create embroidered portraits that embody and empower their subjects. For Malik’s first solo museum exhibition, Spandita Malik: Jāḷī—Meshes of Resistance, the artist expands upon her photographic series Nā́rī, a project that she began as a graduate student at Parsons School of Design in 2019. For Nā́rī, she traveled to small communities in India known for their distinct embroidery styles and places where women learn handicraft to gain financial independence. Malik met with women who are part of self-help groups for survivors of domestic and gender-based violence and requested permission to document them within their homes or personal spaces. Each woman was invited to embroider her own portrait and claim agency over her portrayal. In the years following, the women connected with each other and Malik over phone calls and group chats, where they were able to deepen their relationships and form a greater support system. 

The word jāḷī is recognized across many languages with roots in Sanskrit, referring to the openwork that appears in architecture, metalwork, and embroidery. Here jāḷī refers to an openwork stitch that produces a fine mesh structure or the appearance of a net. Within the context of Malik’s exhibition, jāḷī also transforms into an expansive metaphor that uplifts networks and communities, particularly those formed among women with shared experiences. Produced in dialogue with many collaborators, Malik’s portrait series showcases the unique preferences, desires, and fears of the individual women who comprise the collective, nurturing a symbiotic relationship between group and self-expression.

Spandita Malik: Jāḷī—Meshes of Resistance is organized by Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art and curated by Krista Alba, assistant curator.

Spandita Malik provides a glimpse into her work, process, and the collaborative nature of her work.

Meet artist Spandita Malik at Kemper Museum.

Artist Talk & Reception Spandita Malik: Jāḷī—Meshes of Resistance

Spandita Malik (Indian, born 1995), Charanjit, 2023, Photographic transfer print on khaddar fabric, phulkari silk thread embroidery. Unique, 50 x 66 inches. Courtesy of Spandita Malik. Art and photo © Spandita Malik.

Spandita Malik (Indian, born 1995), Noshad Bee, 2023. Photographic transfer print on khadi fabric, zardozi embroidery, Unique 64 1/2 x 47 1/2 inches, Courtesy of Spandita Malik Art and photo © Spandita Malik. 

Spandita Malik (Indian, born 1995), Parween Devi III, 2023. Photographic transfer print on khaddar fabric, phulkari silk thread embroidery. Unique, 40 1/4 x 53 1/2 inches. Courtesy of Spandita Malik. Art and photo © Spandita Malik. 

Spandita Malik (Indian, born 1995), Jyoti, 2023. Photographic transfer print on khaddar fabric, phulkari silk thread embroidery, beadwork. Unique, 63 1/2 x 47 inches. Courtesy of Spandita Malik Art and photo © Spandita Malik.

Spandita Malik (Indian, born 1995), Radha Rani IV, 2023. Photographic transfer print on khaddar fabric, phulkari silk thread embroidery. Unique, 41 1/2 x 54 1/2 inches. Courtesy of Spandita Malik Art and photo © Spandita Malik.

Spandita Malik (Indian, born 1995), Meena II, 2023 Photographic transfer print on khaddar fabric, phulkari silk thread embroidery Unique 39 x 52 1/2 inches Courtesy of Spandita Malik Art and photo © Spandita Malik.

Spandita Malik (Indian, born 1995), Arifa Bano, 2023. Photographic transfer print on khadi fabric, zardozi embroidery. Unique, 63 1/2 x 46 1/2 inches. Courtesy of Spandita Malik Art and photo © Spandita Malik.

Shabeena Bhegam, 2023. Photographic transfer print on khadi fabric, zardozi embroidery. Unique, 55 1/2 x 42 inches. Courtesy of Spandita Malik Art and photo © Spandita Malik.

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 (Indian, born 1995), Rukmesh Kumari IV, 2023. Photographic transfer print on khaddar fabric, phulkari silk thread embroidery. Unique 50 x 65 1/2 inches. Courtesy of Spandita Malik. Art and photo © Spandita Malik.