Ekta Kaul

Can mending and repair be used as self care? How can the traditions we’ve studied impact our current actions towards sustainability? Are we too disconnected from our past? What drives the culture of mending? On today’s episode, I’m talking to Ekta Kaul, an award-winning London based artist. Her artistic practice is focused on creating narrative maps that explore places, history and belonging through stitch. A pared back aesthetic coupled with a considered use of graphic marks and lines form the core elements of her work. These are underpinned by a thoughtful approach to making with meaning, a deep interest in heritage and a firm commitment to sustainability. We discuss: - What role mending and repair can play in mental health and self-care. - Her time both at the National Institute of Design in India and her MA in Edinburgh. - Portrait of Place and why maps interest her so much. - Her forthcoming book about kantha coming out in Spring/Summer 2023. - How she learned from her mother and grandmother, and how traditional skills can be modernized. As recommended by Metro, The Week, Wallpaper and FastCompany.