Rekha
Rekha
Rekha, Sanskrit for line. The first mark of every form, drawn here with a needle instead of a pen.
Worked entirely in black on a pale ground, Rekha reads like a drawing made with a needle. Fine outlined petals open into radiating whorls, bold satin loops gather into dark currents, and beaded passages give the surface a quiet gleam where the light falls.
Three densities share one surface: an open, finely outlined line; a heavy loop worked in satin stitch; and between them, close beaded rows that read almost as shadow. Each whorl turns around its own centre, so the eye is pulled in several directions at once.
Plate II of the Abstract Collection by Shantnu Sihag Dhul.
Size: 45 x 43 in framed (114.3 x 109.2 cm)
Medium: Hand embroidery in black thread with black glass seed beads on a pale woven ground
Presentation: Ivory box frame, float mounted, open face without glass
Made at: KURU studio, Gurugram, India
Complimentary shipping within India. For delivery outside India, message the studio on WhatsApp at +91 93072 00002 and we will arrange crated export shipping with a freight quote for your location.
The Story
Rekha is Sanskrit for line: the first mark of every form, drawn here with a needle instead of a pen. Worked entirely in black on a pale ground, the piece reads like a drawing. Fine outlined petals open into radiating whorls, bold satin loops gather into dark currents, and beaded passages give the surface a quiet gleam where the light falls.Three densities share one surface: an open, finely outlined line; a heavy loop worked in satin stitch; and between them, close beaded rows that read almost as shadow. The finest passages are drawn in a single black outline, petal within petal, radiating from a small cluster of beads at the heart of each whorl, and nothing is filled in, so the pale ground between the lines does the work of light. Black glass seed beads follow the same petal outlines, row upon row, until the open drawing thickens into texture. Seen straight on the work is graphic; from the side the beads lift from the surface and catch the light.
Rekha is Plate II of the Abstract Collection, created under the artistic direction of Shantnu Sihag Dhul, trained at Istituto Marangoni and Rubelli Venice. Each artwork is entirely hand embroidered, and the intricacy of materials and technique means no two pieces can ever be truly identical. Every artwork carries its own character, impossible to replicate exactly by hand, and is accompanied by a signed Certificate of Authenticity.
The Artwork
Each piece is entirely hand-embroidered by master artisans, using techniques passed through generations. Because every stitch is done by hand, small variations between pieces are part of its character — not a flaw, but a signature of authentic craftsmanship.
Care Instructions
Dust gently with a soft, dry brush or microfibre cloth — never a wet cloth or liquid cleaner — and keep the piece away from direct sunlight and high humidity to preserve embroidery colour and thread integrity. Handle it by its frame rather than the embroidered surface itself, and for any deep cleaning, consult a textile conservator rather than attempting to wash or iron it.
Shipping & Delivery
As each artwork is made to order, please allow for the hand-embroidery timeline shown above before dispatch. Once ready, pieces are carefully packed and shipped via courier, with tracking shared as soon as your piece is on its way.
Framing & Installation
Artworks arrive ready to hang, framed and secured. For larger pieces, we recommend professional installation, hung away from direct sunlight and heat sources to preserve the embroidery over time.