Shakthi- Threads of Female Power

Project Overview
Shakthi - Threads of Female Power is a four-week residency jointly organized by the Goethe-Institut Chennai and the Alliance Française of Madras. The program explores Shakti — the feminine force known by many names across cultures. Sometimes called intuition, sometimes witchcraft, this force has been revered, feared, suppressed, and celebrated. From inner strength and instinct to mysticism and healing, it has shaped women’s lives and cultural narratives for centuries.

The residency seeks to connect this collective female energy with the rich heritage of Indian textile traditions. Participants will be introduced to diverse traditional textile practices alongside discussions and explorations of the empowering concept of Shakti.

Each artist will create a textile-based installation inspired by these themes, culminating in a curated exhibition at the Alliance Française of Madras in March 2026.

Participating Artists (in alphabetical order) Anna Cambier:
Anna has a French/German background. Her artistic practice unfolds through a multimedia and performative approach that questions perceptions of disembodiment and alienation, tracing the emotional landscape of growing up in a female body. Bettina Mileta:
Bettina works with large-scale textile installations, drawing inspiration from the techniques of Pojagi, quilting, and patchwork to create bold, colorful compositions. Her works are displayed in open spaces — often in urban settings, sometimes in rural landscapes. She envisions architectures that embrace textiles more deeply, giving space for a largely female tradition to be seen, valued, and reimagined. She resides in Berlin. Marielle Maury:
Marielle is a fashion designer from France who creates and manufactures women’s outfits with artisan-crafted timeless elegance, following a sustainable fashion approach. She transforms leftovers into works of art or ornaments that embellish garments in a French “haute couture” style. Munira Nizam Diwan:
Rooted in feminist inquiry, Munira’s work traces the subtle negotiations women make between expectations and desire. Through tactile processes — stitching, weaving, tearing, and molding — she gives form to endurance and resistance, inviting viewers to confront the quiet power of the domestic and the everyday. She is from India. Sanskruti Shukla
Sanskruti is a designer and researcher from India. She draws inspiration from the storied landscapes and sacred geographies of the country, where living craft traditions and indigenous knowledge systems shape layered human histories. Her artistic practice is deeply rooted in the stories of place-based communities and the land, exploring how textiles can serve as vessels for memory, mythology, and the enduring dialogue between maker and material.