Nikita Jain
Controlled Chaos, 2023
Naturally dyed fabric 90" x 100"
"Controlled Chaos" delves into memories of my Indian home's heart, focusing on the kitchen—a sacred space weaving personal narratives, predominantly shaped by women. Through textiles, I illuminate its communal role, paralleling its rhythm with organizational dynamics. It's a self- sustaining system, akin to strategically placed items within. The artwork captures community essence, love, occasional chaos, and unity in divided roles played by homemakers, challenging conventional family structures. Belongingness thrives, echoing openness, warmth, and welcoming chaos. Yet, in a new country, these memories fragment. The kitchen, once lively, becomes disjointed, contrasting the familiar. The palette, inspired by Indian hues and spices, resonates emotionally. Textile techniques, from natural dyeing to patchwork, create a stained glass effect, symbolizing memories' intricate dance in a new cultural context.
Nikita Jain
Homesick: Weaving Journey of Identity, 2023
Yarn, Wood, Fabric 40" x 80"
Homesick is a sculptural suitcase crafted with intricate yarn weaving, crochet techniques, and digitally printed panels with embroidered designs. This piece embodies the disorienting experience of moving to a new cultural environment, where migratory grief and shifting identity create an ongoing sense of displacement. Through layered textures and tactile contrasts, Homesick captures the personal growth, challenges, and contradictions of leaving one home to find another—navigating between past and present, belonging and estrangement. It invites viewers to reflect on the complexities of home, the struggles of readjustment, and the evolving nature of identity in the face of change.
Nikita Jain
Shared Echoes, 2024
Naturally dyed surplus fabric waste 190" x 60"
Shared Echoes is a drapery piece that captures the essence of my living room—its textures, colors, and the pivotal role it plays in my life. This ethereal patchwork visually narrates the room’s diverse nature, illustrating how it seamlessly connects to other parts of the home. Through layered fabrics and shifting transparencies, the piece reflects the warmth of gathering, the quiet resonance of conversations, and the intangible connections that makes a house into a home. In a world increasingly focused on the individual, Shared Echoes serves as a reminder of the joy and fulfillment found in togetherness.
