In a world where development is prioritized over culture, the resurgence of traditional crafts offers a breath of nostalgia and an opportunity to preserve ancestral legacies. Despite the ever-growing trend of mass production and technology in the last few decades, contemporary artists are embracing age-old techniques and materials, crafting handmade products that not only celebrate the skill of craftsmanship but also hone their creative exploration. Weaving, embroidery, pottery, mosaic-making, and beadwork are just a few types of crafts dating back to the Middle Ages that have found their way back into the 21st century.
Embroidery, a traditional craft involving the stitching of silk or cotton threads to decorate textile surfaces, is becoming increasingly popular in the fields of art and fashion today – especially in South Asia. Phulkari embroidery, for example, originates from the Punjab region in India. Phulkari translates to ‘flower work’ and consists of floral designs and geometric patterns of phuls (flowers) and akari (shapes) to adorn Indian attire including kurtis, dupattas, sarees, suits, and more. While local artisans originally used silken thread and khaddar (a heavy cotton fabric) alongside real flowers to create these embroidered garments together, contemporary artists prefer chiffon and lightweight cotton for comfort and breathability. Nevertheless, other aspects of this style such as the darning stitch technique and floral designs are still maintained by modern artists.
Though traditionally Phulkari garments were given as gifts to celebrate the birth of a girl child and during rites of ceremonies like marriage in Punjab, they now transcend regional roots and are used as a fashion statement worldwide. While huge courtier labels like Manish Malhotra and brands like Sikh Accessories use Phulkari inspired embroidery, many other organizations collaborate with local artisans to bring their talents to light. Virsā – The Heritage, founded by Nivi and Sushma Jaswal, empowers rural Punjabi Phulkari artisans who receive an unfair and low payment for their handcrafted products by eliminating the profits earned by intermediaries for an artisan-friendly supply chain. Furthermore, with the help of young artisans, the organization aims to revive the lost patterns in Phulkari embroidery to preserve the rich history, traditions and customs of Punjab.
Leaving the world of garments and Punjab, we move to interior design and Mexico, specifically to the traditional craft of Talavera Pottery. Originating in the city of Puebla and reflecting Indigenous and Spanish influences, this craft involves the creation of handmade ceramic pieces that are glazed with intricate designs and vivid colors. In Mexico, there are communities of contemporary artists and local artisans who combine traditional techniques of creating Talavera pieces with modern elements, but maintain the decoration, glazing and manufacturing processes of the 16th century. As a result, the process of crafting these pieces is time-consuming but authentic: artists are expected to use hallmark colors (e.g.black, yellow, green, mauve) derived from natural pigments and to create products using natural clay.
The sensation of Talavera Pottery is taking over social media, with some people showcasing stunning pieces in their home decor, while others capture architecture that features it. Not only does this amplify Mexican heritage, but it also supports local artisans, due to the increasing demand. Workshops like Uriarte Talavera and The Mexican Pottery Workshop: Learn the Art of Talavera allow younger generations to immerse themselves in their culture and develop the skills associated with this traditional craft through interactions with local artisans. This amplifies the voices of locals living in rural areas. Similarly, small businesses like Talavera Salazar implement the traditional techniques to sell handcrafted pottery pieces and local museums like the Ruiz de Luna Pottery Museum, which showcase ceramic productions made by artisans to tourists and encourage them to shop locally.
Another traditional craft that has captured the interests of modern artists is Masaai Beadworking, practiced by the Maasai, an ethnic group in Kenya and Northern Tanzania. Rooted deeply in Maasai culture, this handcrafting tradition symbolizes the strength, beauty, and customs of the Maasai people, as vibrant beads are strung together on a thread to create beautiful adornments and jewelry. Although, historically, the beads would be made from raw materials like bone, ivory, shells, and clay, current artists use beads made from glass. However, most of the beadwork is still threaded and sewn onto leather strips to preserve the age-old method, despite the availability of newer materials.
The influence of Maasai beadworking has become international, with people incorporating it in their jewelry, clothing and other accessories. This promotes their culture and also encourages the continued development of Maasai craft-making skills. Sidai Designs, a local Tanzanian company, collaborates with the Maasai to create beaded accessories, using materials that bring a touch of modernity to age-old craftsmanship. Furthermore, the Hadithi Line partnered up with 660 Maasai people to give them fair pay for their beaded jewelry products by helping them to engage with the evolving market.
Although large-scale production and high-tech systems may fit the bustling lifestyle of many in this generation, traditional crafts offer a vital break from this fast-paced routine. The Phulkari Embroidery of Punjab, Talavera Pottery of Mexico and Maasai Beadworking of Kenya and Tanzania, stand as prime examples of the magic that traditional crafts bring to today’s artistic and fashion culture. By utilizing antiquated techniques to create modern pieces, contemporary artists weave a brilliant tapestry of old and new. The future of traditional crafts lies in the hands of the young, who continue to creatively develop their cultural craftsmanship, and the elderly, who ensure the maintenance of an essential legacy of tradition and specialized knowledge.