The Jhoole exhibit is taking place at Womanspace this month, Feb. 1st- 28th. There will be a reception called “India Fest” on Feb. 19th. For more information, visit, http://www.womanspace-rockford.org/pages/news/specialevents/specialevents.htm. Portraits from the Jhoole Photography Project will be exhibited along with textiles woven by the Jhoole weavers. Exhibition proceeds will go to Womanspace and Jhoole. However, 100% of proceeds from pieces of textile art created by the Jhoole artisans Maya Verma and Deep Kewat will go directly to them towards the construction of sheds for their looms.
Maya Verma lives with her husband and three children, her mother in-law, her brother in-law and his wife. These 8 individuals share two small rooms. One of these rooms is almost entirely taken up by Maya’s loom. With the proceeds from the piece woven by Maya, she will be able to have a shed for her loom constructed, freeing up the available space as necessary living quarters.
Deepa Kewat had an arranged marriage when she was 15 years old. She is now 19 years old and has just given birth to her first child. She used to walk a few miles to work every day where she wove on a loom in a communal shed. Now that she has become a mother she wants to be able to weave at home so that she can take care of her baby while also earning the income to support her family. She has a loom, but unfortunately she has nowhere at home to put it. She currently lives with her husband and daughter in one tiny room and she cannot afford to build a shed for her loom. The person who purchases her piece of textile art will be providing her with the full funds needed to construct a shed which will allow her to continue to weave and support her family .
I am so excited about the opportunity to help Deepa and Maya in a direct way that will change their lives drastically!