Sumana Som

Sumana Som

In continuation of her previous practice of map-making, exploring the visual aesthetics of cartography and looking up to Indian miniature paintings to understand spatial relations, Sumana Som has developed her recent series of works on fabric that primarily deals with spatial encounters and layered emotions that it entails. The ongoing Covid situation has instigated her to think about space from new perspectives. While talking about space, Sumana addresses the related factors like distance, boundaries, ownership, encroachment and power structure.


Using embroidery and drawing in her works as prevailing mediums, Sumana narrates the dramatic moments that come alive through the dialogue between living and non-living beings with their surroundings. The aspiration to occupy and own space and continue to exist in the world is an innate human desire. Sumana's stitched and painted textile works talk about this reality of impermanence.


Three works in the exhibition, Piece of Land, Neighbours and Landlord, represent the spaces shared by humans, animals, vegetables and objects and the anxiety the occupants feel in the process of co-existence.

The Landlord

Sumana Som

Drawing with coffee and tea stain mix, pencil, ink, stitch with pink pearl on fabric

106.68 X 124.5 cm

2021

Piece of Land

Sumana Som

Pencil, ink, stitch and mirror work on fabric

40.6 X 99 cm

2020

Neighbour I

Sumana Som

Ink, pencil and different kinds of stitch with black, pink and white rice pearl on fabric

53.34 x 68.6 cm

2021

Neighbour II

Sumana Som

Ink, pencil and different kinds of stitch with black, pink and white rice pearl on fabric

68.6 x 53.34 cm

2021

Neighbour III

Sumana Som

Ink, pencil and different kinds of stitch with black, pink and white rice pearl on fabric

53.34 x 68.6 cm

2021

Neighbour IV

Sumana Som

Ink, pencil and different kinds of stitch with black, pink and white rice pearl on fabric

68.6 x 53.34 cm

2021