The Alchemy of Thread: Confluence of Art, Craft, and the Mystical
With the advent of 2026, Mumbai is glazing with a brand new exhibition titled Terra & the Divine — an ambitious contemporary art exhibition presented as part of the Mumbai Gallery Weekend (MGW) 2026. This exhibition was inaugurated on January 8, 2026, at the Milaaya Art Gallery in Kemps Corner, Mumbai. This four-day extravaganza proffers itself as a ‘city-wide’ celebration of contemporary arts. It has emerged as a major cultural marker on the cultural datesheet of Mumbai. This has emerged as one of India’s leading art shows, connecting galleries, collectors, academics, and most importantly, art enthusiasts.
MGW orchestrates dozens of shows in the heart of the city. This exhibition stands out because it is a pure collaborative showcase featuring works by three internationally recognised artists: Waswo X. Waswo, Seema Kohli, and Jagannath Panda. The preview took place on January 8 from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. With the initiation of this exhibition, MGW has substantially enhanced its core vision and its commitment to continue engaging with a diverse audience.
Exploring the Thresholds
This exhibition showcases the rawness of “hand embroidery” as a rudimentary medium that weaves the works of the three brilliant artists together. The exhibits on view are the results of a nearly two-month residency for these works and will continue to be on view till February 28, 2026. “Terra & the Divine” percolated into the Indian artscape with a dedication to refresh the vogue and to create a counterpoint against the rapid-fire nature of digital consumption.
The philosophical core of the exhibition is well depicted through the transformation of fibre from a decorative element to a “medium of expression.” It bestows meaning on the threads and makes them lively. By using embroidery, the artists challenge the traditional hierarchy between “craft” and “fine art,” elevating the stitch to the level of the brushstroke. The organizers believe that contemporary art can dissolve boundaries between traditional craft and conceptual depth. Traditional artistic media, such as photography, painting, and textiles, are recalibrated to rephrase and form a new set of dialogues between symbol, form, and cultural narrative.
Glimpses of The Exhibition
| Aspects | Details |
|---|---|
| Exhibition Title | Terra & the Divine |
| Venue | Milaaya Art Gallery, Kemp’s Corner, Mumbai |
| Key Artists | Seema Kohli, Waswo X. Waswo, Jagannath Panda |
| Primary Medium | Hand Embroidery / Fibre Art |
| Exhibition Dates | Jan 8, 2026 – Feb 28, 2026 |
| Event Context | Part of Mumbai Gallery Weekend (MGW) 2026 |
| Opening Hours | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Featured Artists | Waswo X. Waswo, Seema Kohli, Jagannath Panda |
| Artistic Focus | Intersection of myth, memory, urban life, and spirituality |
| Notable Medium | Hand-embroidery integrated with contemporary visual art |
Featured Artists
Seema Kohli contributes to the corpus of artworks with her multidisciplinary practice. She introduces the themes of Cosmic femininity, creation myths, and spiritual paradigms. Her artistic signatures span painting, sculpture, poetry, and installation. Her art sits at the juncture of mythopoesis and real-world experience. Her segments include the fascinating Hiranyagarbha (the golden womb) and the cyclical nature of life. A gaze at her artworks dissipates a vibe of transcending the earthly realm and stepping into a world that is neither mythical nor real. Her aesthetic core is inspired by the philosophical themes, ranging from Sanskrit cosmological ideas to ongoing global dialogues around gender and existence. The nicety of her needlework makes the divine “tangible” and represents it through the “Terra” or Earth.
Waswo X. Waswo is an American photographer and visual artist who found his ‘home’ in India. He brings a completely alternative aspect through his craft. His work establishes historical linkages with the inquiries about cultural encounter, representation, and visual memory. His photography entails elements of Indian miniature traditions that evoke an agency to personal as well as collective narrative building. His photographic intricacies delve into perspectives, and he expresses how the act of seeing mediates experience. His photographs include collaboration with local craftsmen, and in this exhibition, his “portraits unfold as tender acts of storytelling.” Waswo has an inherent tendency to depict “irony.” He uses irony as the accentuating lens to explore themes that add to the vintage effect of the traditional embroidery and weaves a complex narrative.
Jagannath Panda’s artistic sensitivities also acquire a different corner of the carpet. He emphasizes urban sensibilities and cross-cultural aesthetics. Jgannath Panda is acknowledged for his attention to detail and his intricate and exquisite crafting of city life and modern mobility. His art synchronizes traditional elements with a modern touch. He skillfully maps how metropolitan intensities shape subjective consciousness. He is highly concerned about the ‘Ecological Pulse.’ He takes up the Terra and makes it the medium to express his opinion on the friction between urban sprawl and the natural world. By depicting industrial or urban motifs through the softness of fibre, Panda creates a poignant juxtaposition that highlights the fragility of our environment.
Key Highlights
- Terra & the Divine is part of Mumbai Gallery Weekend 2026, connecting this exhibition to a larger city-wide art ecosystem.
- The show features three distinctive artistic voices: Waswo X. Waswo (an American artist based in India), Seema Kohli (a renowned Indian contemporary artist), and Jagannath Panda (an Indian painter with a focus on urban experience).
- The exhibition places unusual emphasis on hand-embroidery not just as ornamentation but as a narrative and meditative art form, continuing a curatorial vision that Milaaya Art Gallery has been fostering in recent years.
- Works on display explore cosmic symbolism, personal memory, cityscapes, and spiritual ambience, inviting visitors toward reflective engagement.
- The show’s extended run, nearly eight weeks, underscores the gallery’s long-form engagement strategy, beyond the typical short-term fair schedule.
- The show bridges the gap between the celestial (the Divine) and the terrestrial (Terra), exploring how humans navigate both realms.
- While many MGW events are short-lived, “Terra & the Divine” offers an extended viewing window through late February, allowing for deeper public engagement.
The Significance of Terra & the Divine
View this post on Instagram
The Terra and the Divine successfully protracts its trajectory towards reclaiming the “feminine” and “domesticated” history of embroidery and rebrands it as a tool for high-concept contemporary commentary. The artists, by choosing their respective media, are making a political statement against the sterility of modern life. The artists have worked hard to humanize the ultra-modern aspects of today’s world and ask the viewers to feel the texture of existence.
The artist intricately engages with history, identity, and the sacred; the exhibition constructs a layered narrative where art becomes a site of reflection and resonance. Importantly, the platform offered by the Mumbai Gallery Weekend amplifies this dialogue across broader audiences, enhancing both accessibility and critical visibility. As Mumbai continues its rapid modernization, this collection serves as a necessary, tactile reminder of the patience and precision required to create something truly eternal.
Takeaway
Today, everything is dominated by fast fair cycles and market metrics. Amidst this, Terra & the Divine marks a significant shift that affirms that contemporary art can be intellectually invigorating and transcendental. Through this exhibition, Milaaya Art Gallery secures its position not only as a commercial space but as a cultural crucible where heritage, innovation, and contemplative creativity coalesce.
