Visual Art and South Asian Textiles

Famed for the technique, material, process of making and the symbolism they evoke, textiles from South Asia have amassed a significant connoisseurship owing to their value, collectability, and desirability. Textiles from the region are often couched within circuits of trade and value. With a few exceptions, the term ‘Textile Art’ is often employed in the Western context with textiles from this geography largely rendered merely as ‘craft’ (Geijer, 1979; Hatanka, 1996).

In proposing an alternative reading of South Asian textiles as art, the panel engages with this overlooked and previously unexplored appraisal of textiles. From temple hangings and paintings to their myriad manifestations as woven or knitted textiles, the two domains of art and textiles interlace when it comes to textiles that emerge from this geography. In a nutshell, this panel locates textiles from South Asia within the realm of the history and practice of art. It stretches the definition of South Asian textiles beyond their crafting, skill and knowledge of making.

We invite papers where the research focuses on textile arts from the subcontinent in any form and medium. The papers may focus on the theme broadly or delve deeper into particular aspects of textiles, from art analysis of motifs, the craftsperson as an artist, to how the textiles have been presented and showcased historically. There is no restriction on the time period; however, we are particularly keen on hearing about research from the early modern to the present day.

Submit your Paper via this form. Please download, complete and send it directly to the Session Convenor(s) below by Sunday 2 November 2025:

Pragya Sharma, Doctoral Researcher, University of Brighton (UK), p.sharma6@uni.brighton.ac.uk

Pramila Choudhary, Doctoral Researcher, Concordia University (Canada), choudharypramila@gmail.com