Boisali Biswas
Asemic Letter to Myself, 2024
Cotton, rayon yarns, dyes 21" X 28"
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, belonging, and emotions that emerge from those feelings. Lot of times the interpretations remain deeply personal and ambiguous. This piece felt like weaving a page from one of my most intimate journals. I feel I have a lot more to express in these troubled times and they will probably show up in different forms.
Boisali Biswas
Echoes of a Left Behind Place, 2024
Cotton, rayon yarns, dyes, paints, fabrics, 46" x 57"
This piece is delving into the realms of childhood reminiscences, missing my left behind home in Kolkata, India.
Boisali Biswas
Under the Greenwood Tree, 2024
Cotton, Rayon, wire 22"x 28"
This piece is inspired by trees, woven with the Jamdani inlay technique, a traditional art form of India and Bangladesh, woven with wire as the weft.
Boisali Biswas
Diaphanous Illusions, 2018-2020
Cotton, rayon yarns, discarded fruit netting, reed, copper, sisal, wheat grass, gingko leaves, maple seed bunches, gold yarns, paints 8'x12'
This installation is a growing woven installation, using translucency, inlay, mostly discarded plastic fruit netting. It changes a little with new panels in different colors, designs and materials every time it is installed.
Boisali Biswas
The Wait, 2024
Cotton, rayon, cotton and silk fabrics 60" x 57"
This piece is delving into the realms of childhood reminiscences, missing my left behind home in Kolkata, India.
Boisali Biswas
Kolkata Chronicles, 2017
Cotton, variety of yarns, Styrofoam, reed, copper, wood, paints, wool, fruit netting, various yarns 36"x37"
This piece evolved from my reminiscing about my hometown, Kolkata. The urban living in multistoried buildings, the faces at the windows or mundane scenes overlooking from the balconies and so much more are all a testament to how deeply rooted we are as immigrants.
Boisali Biswas
Distant Reflections, 2017
Cotton, discarded fruit netting, paper, paints 45"x52"
This is piece was made when I was coping with my father's illness which confined him to the bed. From 8000 miles away it became harder and harder. All I had on my mind were my parents. Those balconies, windows of the multistoried buildings back home became my primary subjects. The color scheme was dictated by the extensive use of discarded fruit netting of onion bags.
Boisali Biswas
When Home Won’t Let you Stay, 2020
Cotton fabric and yarn 18" x 33"
This was my contribution to the global project 25 Million Stitches, one stitch representing one refugee among the then 25 million, now more than 75 million.
Boisali Biswas
The Plight of the Migrants, 2020
Paper, paints, cotton yarns 28"x 31"
When the pandemic hit the world, India with it's huge population failed miserably in handling the situation of the enormous population of migrant laborers. Almost overnight they were sent back to their remote villages with inadequate transportation. Thousands with men, women, children, of all ages started the journey back home on foot. It was a horrendous situation to fathom. Many perished along the way not from the virus but the fatigue. I almost lost my sleep thinking about those poor helpless people. Together with new isolation in place, made me paint this, the only constructive work I could make during the unprecedented time of our lives.
Boisali Biswas
Cascades, 2019
Cotton, acrylic yarns, discarded Styrofoam cubes, reeds, copper, various yarns, paints, fabrics 70"x 55"
An installation emphasizing on translucent weaving, upcycling discards, an old technique of inlay from India known as jamdani. Shadows become an integral part of the work.
