Vadodara-based artist and textile designer Darshini Dalwadi Patel bridges fine art and textile design through a practice rooted in ecological observation and material transformation. A graduate in Applied Arts from the Faculty of Fine Arts, MSU Baroda (2006–2009), and Textile Design from NID Ahmedabad (2011–2014), Patel has worked with prominent Indian and international brands, including Levi’s 501 and French studios like Art and Folies. Currently consulting with Nesterra, Floor & Furnishing, and Tashkand Handlooms, she is slated to be an artist-in-residence at Space Studio, Vadodara, in 2025.

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Her ongoing Atoll Series investigates environmental change through reclaimed materials such as felt, rope, and wool. These pieces abstract coral reef, coastal erosion, and natural renewal, unfolding as layered, sedimentary landscapes shaped by dyeing, mark-making, and warp-weft manipulation. Works like CAY1 exemplify this approach, combining textile craft and sculptural form to create richly textured geologies—ranging from postcard-sized fragments to monumental, eight-foot spatial installations.

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Patel explores themes of landscape, abstraction, material tension, and immersive space using reclaimed fibers as both medium and metaphor. Her textiles are sculptural, sensory, and alive with memory—far beyond the decorative. Sourced from industrial detritus and abandoned sites, her materials evoke cycles of decay and regeneration, offering a quiet resistance to fast consumption and ecological disregard.

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Through a tactile, process-driven practice, Patel invites viewers to witness transformation—not just visually, but as textured, embodied time. Her work advocates for slowness, sustainability, and deep material engagement in a rapidly accelerating world.