Nicola Embroiders the World

Mixed media acrylic and Kantha stitch on canvas 140x200cm.

Nicola Strippoli Tarshito, an architect by profession, adopts materials and symbols belonging to ancient cultures and traditions into his work. In his eyes the world is devoid of light and harmony. “Embroider the world” transcends all borders and cultures. With the help of Bengal Foundation, he has discovered the magic of the Nakshikantha, the art of quilting, from the crafts person Mahbub Zamil Shamim of Jessore. Chandrasekhar Saha, President National Crafts Council, has given him help throughout the rainy season. The result is a remarkable exhibition of works that have incorporated this age old tradition.

The Vase, the line and the shadow - 2014.

At the inauguration, the Italian Ambassador, spoke of the need for peace on this world, both in the East and West, and so the importance of Nicola Tarshito's works is felt more than ever. He said the artist was like an enlightened vessel from which the message of peace and harmony poured out. Nature, people and daily life can be seen in Nicola's work.
Born in Corato, Italy he got his university degree in 1979 from the Faculty of Architecture, Florence. During 2000, Nicola participated in solo and joint shows where he works as the 'Warrior of Love' presenting human bodies and figures holding flowers as weapons. Nicola's artistic path collaborated with  a myriad artisans in Gujarat and Rajasthan. He had the desire to go into 'action painting' to create dialogues. He wanted to share and collaborate with others.
In his 'Walking to Unity' acrylic and kantha stitch on canvas show palanquins (palki) carrying a bird with the following of a cow. There is an elephant with bird on the back led by a musician wearing pantaloons. An elephant is depicted in blue and red with a multi-coloured bird with a red beak and a crest on the head.

The sacred culture of Art Le Culture Sacre dell ‘Arte Curated by Andrea B. Del Gucrcio castello di Trani. 23 November 2008/25 January 2009 Trani (Ba.)

Cows in yellow or blue, multi-coloured traditional dolls, peacocks with red feathers are part of the magical world of nakshikantha that Nicola recreates.
The 15 blocks of Nakshikantha include poppies with gold, yellow and mauve petals. There are pansies, and heart shaped flowers in yellow and mauve. There are emerald and jade leaves. There is green outline on brick red stitched backdrop.

The Planet, the Onity and the Embroidery - 2014 Mixed media acrylic and Kantha stitch on cavas 200x160cm.

In the maps, Iran, Germany, Algeria are combined with India, Algeria Russia and the Pacific Ocean. Brown, black and gold  zigzag unite the block of art.
So what made this artist come all the way to Bangladesh then go back to Italy and return to this land? Says the artist: “ Last year I worked with Gujarat. Next I wanted to work with Chandra Shekhar in Bangladesh. I got to know the women of the village of Jessore who make Nakshikantha. It was as if the inspiration came through me. I wanted to work with the women in making art, combining their work with mine, mixing the geography. I wanted the world to come together as one whole.”
Having showcased his work in Europe, India and Nepal, the artist wishes to do the same in Bangladesh.
Chandra Shekhar spoke of how Jiban Anada Das had spoken of a European coming to Bangladesh, who had found a new 'language of communication.
Nicola Tarshito spoke of the joy to work with the tradition of Nakshikantha and the new notion of unity and peace that he found in doing so.