Not every story needs words. Some are told in fibres, knots, and unfinished cloth. That’s how Bhutanese textile artist and designer Chandrika Tamang wants the world to see her exhibition, “Lost & Found”, at the Melbourne Design Week 2025. With over nine years of experience with handloomed fabrics, Chandrika is known for blending traditional techniques with modern designs.
Unlike traditional craft shows, this exhibition focuses less on wearable textiles and more on contemporary textile art.
Chandrika used Trima, a traditional Bhutanese weaving technique especially used for ceremonial wear, to create sculptural abstract art. It expresses ideas or emotions, rather than showing real-life objects or people.
“I’ve tried to blend traditional Bhutanese techniques with modern design by bridging the gap between the customer, the artisan weavers, and my own creative capacity. I spend a lot of time studying my weavers’ skills and understanding their lifestyle, while also learning about my customers’ preferences.”
One artwork is made from over-starched yarn that was once thrown away. Now, it has been brought back to life as a piece of art. Over-starched yarns are stiff and hold its shape well, making it useful for artworks.
Another work includes a piece left incomplete by a sick weaver. Rather than discarding it, Chandrika made the unfinished part the main focus, as a way to honour imperfection and the hidden hard work behind it.
Chandrika Tamang said “International exposure through projects like this can empower artisans by building their confidence, improving their income, and validating their skills on a global platform. It also creates new opportunities and plays a vital role in preserving our traditional craft.”
Chandrika said it took her more than two years to develop the concept, with production taking an additional two months.
Although she faced difficulties in securing funds to bring the exhibition to Australia, the project was eventually made possible with support from the Honorary Consul of Bhutan in Sydney.
The exhibition which opened yesterday, will run until the 25th of this month.
Exhibitions like “Lost & Found” is a reminder that our heritage is not something to preserve in silence, it is something to share, to reimagine, and to wear proudly on the world stage.
Kinley Bidha
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
