Jaipur Rugs

Production residency

Residency brief

Jaipur Rugs, Founded in 1978 by Nand Kishore Chaudhary, a social entrepreneur with the philosophy of connecting grassroots weavers to the world’s urban customers, Jaipur Rugs became India's largest manufacturer of hand- knotted carpets. Started with two looms and 9 weavers, today the company directly collaborates with more than 50,000 rural artisans in nearly 600 remotest villages of India and exports to more than 90 countries in the world.

Initiatives like “Manchaha - what the heart desires” where weavers have a freedom to design their own rugs, has led to a cultural movement where the artisans are expressing simple thoughts in unexpected patterns showcasing their personal stories and the culture which they live in. The weavers pick and choose the aspects of their reality around them, and give a shape to their intangible thought and as an evolving engagement with their carpet creations, translating their experiences in the form of art.

Jaipur Rugs’ International Artist Village Residency aims to create interactive art spaces in the villages of Rajasthan, where the women weavers work at the comfort of their homes. The residency believes in the creative capabilities of the grassroots and the possibilities of innovation by facilitating the strength of co-creation of traditional - generational weavers and the international contemporary artists of the world.

Through this exchange, a fusion of ancient weaving techniques, honed over 2500 years, and modern artistic expression emerges, all inspired by the land and culture of Rajasthan, India.

The project developed throughout the residency will later be exhibited in one of the global stores of Jaipur Rugs (Jaipur/Dubai/London/Milan)

  • Thematic focus Arts & Craft, Textile (Yarn spinning, dying, weaving), and Visual Arts
  • Location Jaipur
  • Dates From October 2024 - April 2025
  • Length of stay 45 days - one and a half month
  • Apply Now

Location

Jaipur is a city with various charms. The royal city of Rajasthan is not just home to forts, palaces and incredible architecture, it is home to intricate arts and crafts. The Pink City as is lovingly called has a rich history of performing culture and craft production. Today, Jaipur has 30 different crafts forms, and at least 7 mainstream performing arts with 36 craft industries of different kinds of crafts from textile production to stonework.

Jaipur is known for the finest hand-made carpets and rugs. Woven in rich colors, patterns, and designs, the wool or silk rugs and carpets are best used as home décor items. The residency will take place in selected villages in and around Jaipur which consist of master weavers who are specialized in persian hand -knotted and hand tufted carpet making. The villages are also filled with other crafts like pottery, lac bangle making, stone work, leather shoe making, silver jewelry etc. The residents will have exposure visits to these workplaces and interaction with the local knowledge keepers.

Residency conditions

  • The resident should be willing to stay in a village and be open for the cultural exchanges in the locality.
  • The resident should produce a minimum of 2 artworks during his/her stay in the villages of Jaipur.
  • The resident will have access to the selected weaver artists from the village and willing to work in collaboration with the local craftsmen.
  • The materials required to create the artwork will be arranged based on one-to-one conversation with the resident.
  • The resident will be provided with three meals a day, along with tea/coffee available upon request.
  • The residents will be provided accommodation in the village with the private room and bathrooms (they can also stay with the villager’s family in the heritage property if they are comfortable).
  • The resident is open to choose their workspace as one will have access to the entire village. The dedicated community-working space will be provided for exchanging ideas and dialogues.
  • The resident will be provided with the vertical loom and different kinds of yarns (wool, silk, bamboo silk, Jute/Hemp, cotton).
  • The resident will receive a fixed stipend of INR. 30,000 per month to cover his/her living expenses.
  • The residents can spin and make their own yarns. They will be introduced to different variety of wools available in India.
  • The resident will receive a monthly fixed remuneration of INR. 50 000 for the residency.
  • The resident’s travel costs to and from his/her home address will be covered by the French Institute in India.

Eligibility criteria

  • The resident has to be autonomous in English.
  • Minimum of two years of experience in his/her artistic practice.