A new exhibition at Mumbai’s 47-A gallery will place the spotlight on Ajrakh practitioner and artist Khalid Amin Khatri, whose first solo exhibition opens on August 22, 2026. Titled LOOKING BACK. LOOKING FORWARD., the exhibition runs until September 13 at 47-A in Khotachiwadi, Girgaum, and examines how a traditional craft practice can evolve into a contemporary artistic language. The exhibition is presented by researcher Satish Reddy and explores the relationship between heritage, authorship, and artistic experimentation.
A Landmark Solo Debut
The exhibition marks an important moment in Khalid Amin Khatri’s career. Known for his roots in the Ajrakh block-printing tradition of Kachchh, Khatri comes from a family that has practiced the craft for generations. According to artisan documentation by Khamir, he learned Ajrakh within his family tradition and later expanded his practice through experimentation with design, painting, and contemporary forms of expression. His work has also been exhibited internationally and is represented in collections including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Expanding the Language of Ajrakh
Traditionally, Ajrakh is a complex textile-printing process that uses hand-carved blocks, natural dyes, and multiple stages of resist printing and dyeing. The craft has long been associated with intricate geometric and floral patterns created through a labour-intensive process.
In LOOKING BACK. LOOKING FORWARD., Khatri moves beyond the conventional format of repeated textile motifs. The exhibition presents works created through natural dye painting, brushwork, overprinting, and erasure techniques. These methods transform Ajrakh from a patterned textile practice into a medium for artistic exploration. Through tonal variations and layered surfaces, the works draw inspiration from Mumbai’s architecture, weathered walls, and constantly changing urban environment.
Craft, Art and Authorship
Presented by researcher Satish Reddy, the exhibition seeks to position craft practitioners as authors of original artistic ideas rather than solely as custodians of inherited techniques. The project traces connections between Kachchh’s craft traditions and contemporary art practices, exploring how artisans can become independent artistic voices while remaining rooted in their cultural heritage.
For many practitioners in Kachchh, the exhibition is likely to be watched closely as an example of how traditional craft knowledge can enter new artistic contexts without losing its connection to history and community.
Exhibition Highlights
- First solo exhibition by Khalid Amin Khatri
- New works developed from Ajrakh techniques and natural dyes
- Exploration of Mumbai’s urban textures and architectural forms
- Research-led presentation by Satish Reddy
- Focus on the relationship between craft traditions and contemporary art
About the Venue
The exhibition takes place at 47-A, a gallery dedicated to exploring the intersections of art, craft, and design. Located in Khotachiwadi, one of Mumbai’s oldest urban villages, the gallery occupies the ground floor of a restored nineteenth-century Portuguese-style house. Since opening in 2022, the venue has built a programme of exhibitions that examine design histories, material cultures, and contemporary creative practices.
47-A was established through collaborations between Baro Market and Chatterjee & Lal’s design initiatives, with a focus on research-driven exhibitions that blur traditional distinctions between art, craft, and design.
Visitor Information
The exhibition will be open daily from 11 am to 7 pm, except Mondays, from August 22 to September 13, 2026. Entry information has not been specified by the organisers.
| Event | Details |
| Title | LOOKING BACK. LOOKING FORWARD. |
| Artist | Khalid Amin Khatri |
| Venue | 47-A, Khotachiwadi, Girgaum, Mumbai |
| Opening Date | August 22, 2026 |
| Exhibition Dates | August 22 – September 13, 2026 |
| Organiser | 47-A, presented by Satish Reddy |
| Entry / Tickets | Not specified |
| Website | https://47agallery.com/ |
Takeaway
LOOKING BACK. LOOKING FORWARD. brings together questions of tradition, innovation, and artistic identity through the work of Khalid Amin Khatri. By extending the possibilities of Ajrakh beyond its conventional forms, the exhibition opens a conversation about the evolving role of artisans in contemporary culture. It also highlights how traditional knowledge can remain relevant while responding to new artistic and social contexts.
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