Pearl Academy Honours Gandhi Through Art and Sustainability with “Gandhi Natura Colore” Exhibition
New Delhi: Pearl Academy, India’s leading creative education institution, proudly unveiled “Gandhi Natura Colore”, a unique artistic and cultural exhibition celebrating the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi. The exhibition commenced with an opening ceremony on October 2, followed by public access available from October 3 to 6. In a simultaneous launch across New Delhi at The National Crafts Museum and Hastkala Academy, as well as in Rome and Sydney, the exhibition paid homage to Gandhi’s core philosophies of Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Sarvodaya (welfare of all), Swaraj (self-governance) and religious pluralism.
Key dignitaries, including Shri Rohit Kansal, IAS, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles; Ms. Amrit Raj, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India; Mr. Sunil Sethi, Chairman of the Fashion Design Council of India, and Mr. Andrea Anastasio, Director, Italian Embassy Cultural Centre, New Delhi, attended the event.
This collaborative effort brought together creative talents from Pearl Academy in India, DESART2 Associazione Culturale in Italy, and DE LUCA 1937 / StudioLab in Australia. The initiative celebrated the beauty of nature, the importance of colour, and the principles of sustainable living that Gandhi espoused.
Under the expert guidance of Dean Antonio M. Grioli, Pearl Academy’s undergraduate textile design students, faculty, and artisans created captivating textile artworks using Khadi, a fabric that embodies Gandhi’s ideals of simplicity and sustainability. Divided into three parts, these artworks were exhibited simultaneously in India, Italy, and Australia, complemented by a digital poster that completed the overall presentation. Utilising traditional techniques such as Shibori and Batik, the pieces were infused with natural dyes and innovative AI-generated designs, seamlessly blending modern technology with time-honoured craftsmanship. Following the exhibition, the artworks will be donated for public viewing.
The exhibition also featured a gelato-tasting experience, with 11 distinct flavours inspired by the textile artworks. Renowned gelato maker Luigi De Luca, from Australia, offered a multisensory culinary journey that connected taste with visual art. Additionally, a selection of eight Italian paintings, crafted on natural fabric and using eco-friendly dyes derived from processed vegetable and floral waste further enriched the exhibition.
“Gandhi Natura Colore” paid tribute to Gandhi’s teachings and emphasised the importance of respecting and protecting our environment through art and sustainable practices. This exhibition promised to be a thought-provoking celebration of culture and shared values.
Antonio Maurizio Grioli, Dean (Fashion Business Interiors), Pearl Academy, says “As we unite across three nations, we proudly present a new India at the forefront of transformative change on the global stage. Through our initiative ‘Gandhi – Natura – Colore,’ we celebrate India’s leadership in design education while fostering cross-cultural dialogue among artists from India, Italy, and Australia. Every artwork, from the stunning textile pieces to the vibrant paintings from Italy and the gelato creations, draws inspiration from Gandhi’s philosophy and teachings, offering a rich multisensory experience. Together, we reaffirm our commitment to collaboration, innovation, and the enduring values of peace and sustainability that Gandhi championed, paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future.”
“Mahatma Gandhi’s timeless message of peace and sustainability resonates more powerfully today than ever. He believed that the Earth provides enough for everyone’s needs but not for everyone’s greed, a lesson we must heed as we face global challenges. Celebrating his values through art, collaboration, and respect for nature reminds us to slow down, reflect, and give back more to the world than we take. This is the true essence of humanism and sustainability. The collaboration showcased by Pearl Academy—the art created and the beauty expressed—serves as a reminder that life is about more than just rushing around; it’s about standing still and appreciating the beauty around us,” adds Rohit Kansal, IAS, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles.
The simultaneous exhibitions in India, Italy, and Australia sparked a global dialogue around Gandhi’s philosophies, attracting visitors eager to engage with the themes of sustainability, peace, and artistic expression.