The Heritage Collection: Modern Indian Heirloom Art
I reimagine sacred Indian stories, like Pichwai and Nandi motifs, by blending traditional heritage with modern hand-embroidery to create timeless heirloom pieces for your home.
This piece from my Nandi Collection is a contemporary take on the traditional Pichwai art form. Created with hand embroidery on linen, it celebrates the rich visual language of my Indian heritage.
The "Gauri Series" is a journey of devotion, taking five months from concept to completion. This framed piece, hand-embroidered on linen, is a contemporary take on a traditional Pichwai, celebrating the sacred cows of India.
This painting is from my "Kamaduha" series, which blends traditional Pichwai motifs with my modern contemporary style. The sacred cow is depicted in silhouette against a vibrant, textured background, representing my own core of being modern with deep traditional roots.
A set of five Pichwai prints commissioned for an interior design project. This collection highlights the Nandi in its purest form against earthy tones and jharokha-inspired backdrops, blending rich Hindustani heritage with contemporary design.
Showing my art in Delhi, the city I was born in, is always special. This video captures moments from my first tapestry show there, where my Heritage Collection was met with so much warmth and love.
A framed piece from my modern Pichwai series, displayed on an easel. This artwork reinterprets the stories of Lord Krishna and the decorative backdrops of Shrinathji temples from my native Rajasthan.
A quiet moment at the gallery, observing my Heritage series on display. Seeing the work hanging on the wall is the final step of the creative process, where the art begins its own conversation with the viewer.
About this collection
These pieces are not just paintings, they are a hybrid of acrylics and high-density hand embroidery on linen. I use Zardozi, glass beads, and silk threads to create a three-dimensional texture that catches the light differently than a standard canvas. Because this layering of thread and paint is done entirely by hand, every piece in this collection is a slow process that requires three to six months to complete from start to finish.
Why These Pieces Take Time
Every artwork in this collection is a labor of love. I start with a foundation of heavy-body acrylics on premium linen, but the real depth comes from the embroidery. Using traditional techniques like Zardozi and beadwork, I stitch into the canvas, building up motifs like the Nandi or sacred lotuses. This process is meditative and cannot be rushed. When you commission a piece, you are not just buying art; you are commissioning a project that spans months.
The Heirloom Quality
I want these pieces to last for generations. To ensure this, every commission includes:
- UV-Protective Glazing: I use specialized UV-protective glass or acrylic to prevent fading and dust accumulation on the embroidery.
- Acid-Free Backing: This prevents the linen from sagging over time, keeping the structure sound for decades.
- Box Framing: Each piece is enclosed in a deep frame to protect the intricate texture of the Zardozi and beadwork from damage.
Customizing Your Vision
While the Heritage Collection explores specific themes like Kamadhenu and Pichwai, I am happy to adapt these styles to your space. We can adjust the color palette to match your upholstery or scale the artwork to fit a specific wall in your home. We start with a digital visualization to ensure the size and placement feel right before I pick up a needle. If you have a family story or a specific tradition you want to represent, I would love to weave that into a custom piece for you.
Pragya Jain
I am Pragya, and my work is a slow, steady walk through the stories I grew up with. I do not believe in art as a sprint, so I take my time to layer tradition into every single stitch, turning sacred motifs into pieces that actually breathe in your living room.
Looking for a different art style?
Explore other categories of my work, from murals to custom portraits.
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