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BRAIDS OF JOY

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instructor

ERROLL NELSON PIRES & SHUBHRA SINGH

The Last Master of Ply-Split Braiding & his successor

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Long time Teacher and Textile Designer Erroll Nelson Pires has been impassioned by the Ply Split Braiding Technique for more than 35 years. He is a master in applying ply-split braiding techniques to contemporary use to create one-of-a-kind seamless wearable garments, sling bags, belts, and happy containers.

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After having retired in December 2011 from the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad, he now continues to conduct workshops at various Art and Design Colleges within India. He has also taught in several countries of Europe, UK, Japan and USA. 

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He is the only Indian Member of the Braid Society, UK, and conducts workshops at the International Braiding Conferences organized by society. He continues to work under the name ibraid Design in Ahmedabad.

Erroll Pires has been proclaimed as ‘The last MASTER of PLY SPLIT BRAIDING techniques’ by prominent media houses.

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Shubhra Singh is a designer, also trained as an architect. She works as a researcher, educator and craft practitioner. The core of her being, finds meaning in the traditional realms: Crafts, Communities and Ways of living.


Shubhra has been associated with the Craft of Camel Belt Making utilising the technique of Ply-Split Braiding for 7-8 years now, through research followed by practice. This blissfully includes nearly 3 years of learning from her wonderful teacher Erroll Pires Nelson and sharing the joys of Braiding.

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workshops

 meditate with your hands
the art of ply-split braiding

Get introduced to an ancient Indian technique where one twisted cord passes through another, splitting the latter to create beautiful patterns. Ply-split braiding is the resilient art of Northwestern India (predominantly, Rajasthan & Gujarat) through which elaborate camel girths and other animal regalia are created using hand-spun goat hair, wool, or cotton.

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Be all ears for tales of the art’s origins and journey from none other than the last master of the technique – Erroll Nelson Pires. Orient yourself with the basic techniques of Plain Oblique Twining (POT) and Single-Course Oblique Twining (SCOT) to create sample keychains. Also learn the 8-strand square braiding technqiue. Experience the power of a hands-on art as you lock & interlock one twisted cord through another in a meditative 2-day workshop.

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Admire original samples of camel belts on display and embark on a journey of appreciation as this traditional art weaves its way into contemporary products like garments, neckwear, bags, home decor, baskets, sculptures, and more.

WHO IS THE WORKSHOP FOR?

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  • For eager hands & inquisitive minds yearning to acquire a new skill

  • For designers wanting to integrate a vanishing traditional textile technique into their portfolios

TAKEAWAYS

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  • Get introduced to a disappearing traditional art from none other than the last living master & his successor

  • Experience an introspective tranquility as hands shift base from electronic devices to simple tools

  • Integrate insights about ply-split techniques, varieties of yarn, product ideas, etc. into your work

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faqs.

1. What resources do I need to bring for this class?

 

​Happy hands, and an inquisitive mind. The Hive will provide the remaining material for the workshop. Don't forget to bring your masks and sanitizers along.

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2. What safety precautions will be taken at The Hive?

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We will be working in small groups. Masks are compulsory when indoors or within close proximity. However, the participants are responsible for their own health & safety.

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schedule

the schedule.

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Fri, 11th Mar, 2022
Sat, 12th Mar, 2022

 
 
5:00 - 7:00 pm
2:00 - 4:00 pm


 

INR 2000

Cancellation Policy: In the unlikely event of The Hive cancelling any of its programmes for any reason, registered participants will be refunded the entire amount within 15 business days. Course dropouts by participants will be eligible for refund as follows: 30+ days before the event - 75% refund; 15-30 days before the event: 50% refund; less than 15 days - 0% refund. Attendee changes can be accommodated up to 14 days prior to the event.

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