Suchitra Mattai: Myth from Matter

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A needlepoint depicting, in profile, a seated, young girl with medium skin tone and dark hair in a yellow dress reading a book. A halo of black beads surrounds her bowed head.

Explore this new exhibition of acclaimed multidisciplinary artist Suchitra Mattai. Enjoy 40 richly layered installations, sculptures, collages, and paintings that use vibrantly colored saris, vintage needlepoints, book pages, jewelry, tinsel, bindis, beads, and other found objects. Mattai explores how memory, myth and visual culture can make visible those who have been left out. The exhibition marks the Los Angeles-based artist’s first major solo museum exhibition on the East Coast. Don’t miss it!

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On View

A vintage tapestry depicting three women and one man in a pastoral scene. One woman sits atop a swing while the others sit beneath her. The man holds the rope of the swing. Bright thread and beads are sewn over the original tapestry, and all four figures skin and hair have been darkened with brown and black thread.
Suchitra Mattai, as we know it, as we dream it, 2023; Embroidery floss, beads, found necklace, and appliqué, 66 x 46 in.; On loan from Pamela and David Hornick; © Suchitra Mattai; Photo by Heather Rasmussen
A museum gallery with a large installation in the center of the room. It resembles a colorful tent with one open side, with an abstract pattern .
Suchitra Mattai, siren song (center, installation view, John Michael Kohler Arts Center), 2022; Vintage saris, fabric, and digital projection, dimensions variable; Courtesy of the artist and Roberts Projects, Los Angeles; © Suchitra Mattai; Photo courtesy of John Michael Kohler Arts Center
A mixed media work that uses a vintage needlepoint depicting the ocean and sky as its base. Layered over the needlepoint is an image of a standing dark-haired woman wearing a sari. Her lower half is covered in blue and gold rhinestones.
Suchitra Mattai, kala pani (black water), 2023; Gouache, book pages, faux gems, trim, and vintage needlepoint, 12 x 12 in.; Courtesy of the artist and Roberts Projects; Photo by Heather Rasmussen
A vintage needlepoint depicting men and women with dark skin tone in a pastoral landscape. Colorful threads are sewn over the original needlepoint. Red, green, orange and pink woven fabric surrounds the needlepoint.
Suchitra Mattai, castaways, 2023; Vintage saris, cord, and embroidery floss on vintage needlepoint, 53 1/2 x 39 in.; Crocker Art Museum purchase with funds provided by Simon K. Chiu, 2023.94.1; © Suchitra Mattai; Photo by Robert Wedemeyer
A vintage needlepoint reproduction of a Renoir painting of a girl wearing a brimmed hat covered in flowers. White and gold beads in the shape of a flower are sewn onto the hat. A corded belt with a gold buckle is affixed across the lower part of the needlepoint.
Suchitra Mattai, she heard their song, 2024; Embroidery floss, beads, found vintage belt, and trim on found needlepoint, 13 x 12 in.; Courtesy of John Friedman/Easton Capital Collection; © Suchitra Mattai; Photo by Heather Rasmussen
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