Each stunning work of art takes weeks of meticulous planning and research. Her pieces are made with a special type of glass bead, which result in a flat, or three-dimensional, fabric-like patterned surface where every square inch contains nearly three hundred beads. Through her work, Sharmini seeks to raise the appreciation of contemporary beadwork, cultivating an awareness of this recently internationally recognized visual art form that has traditions dating back millennia. Her work is held in permanent collections, including the Museum of Arts and Design, NYC, and other private collections. Sharmini currently lives in Vancouver, Canada and London, UK.
The Process
Sharmini spends countless hours exploring new ideas and experimenting with various techniques during the weaving process. She utilizes beads of differing densities, colour and opacity to create stunning, shimmering effects. Intricate and ornate, her sculptural conceptions captivate the viewer’s eye, taking them on a journey through history and memory, dreams and visions.
MEDIA
Sharmini's one-of-a-kind work, which is both wearable, ornamental, or sometimes both, have been featured in books like Showcase500 Art Necklaces, Bead and Button magazine, Masters: Beadweaving and more.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I enrolled in a textile arts porgram offered at a nearby college. After completion, I worked mainly in hand-painted silks, while experimenting with various other forms of arts. It was in 1997 that I was introduced to peyote stich, an off-loom-bead weaving technique. Since then, I found my passion, and have been designing and creating sculptural designs that live in the space between functional and ornamental.