Biography
Tanvi Kant is an interdisciplinary artist based in Hastings, a seaside town in South East England.
Repurposing reclaimed textiles, Tanvi has been practising elemental hand techniques for over 15 years creating jewellery, participatory installations, collage, and sculptural textiles. Her intricate works are made by transforming unwanted saris and dressmaking off-cuts through wrapping, coiling, knotting and stitching. Her hand-cut, pasted and stitched collage work layers magazine images with her own drawings, paintings and stitched fabrics. Her works explore emotional landscapes through colour-inspired, tactile and organic forms.
She studied sustainable design and practice at the University of Derby establishing her award-winning jewellery in 2005 and later extended the participatory side of her practice at the Royal College of Art in 2013.
Tanvi has extensive experience of working with the public and community groups aiming to help people uncover their own visual and tactile stories through materials and to support intergenerational learning experiences. She leads workshops in textile jewellery making, collage and participatory textile installations.
Her third solo exhibition is of fine art prints from her debut collage work that is touring in public spaces across the London Borough of Hounslow from 2022 to 2024.
Tanvi's jewellery has been internationally exhibited and is part of the public collection at Touchstones Rochdale Museum. Tanvi was also included in ‘Alchemy’, a British Council exhibition presented in 6 countries across the Middle East and has created a bespoke collection for British luxury brand Bamford.
Workshops
Tanvi delivers workshops in elemental hand-led techniques of twining, plaiting, coiling and mark-making in embroidery. She has 15 years’ experience in delivering workshops within a variety of settings including galleries, museums, higher education, women's charities, public spaces, and residential care homes. Her aim is to demonstrate how readily available materials can be transformed with unashamedly simple techniques.
Students are encouraged to respond and work instinctively with a variety of materials to explore texture, weight and colour. Tanvi’s methods of sharing skills in hand-constructed textiles give direction as well as a friendly space to allow learners to uncover their own tactile and visual language. She encourages responding to and working instinctively with materials and colour, with a focus on experimenting to uncover a core personal language.
Professional Development for Makers
Tanvi has extensive experience in further, higher and adult education as well as a background in business support and skills. This together with an insight into high end craft and design galleries provide Tanvi a broad perspective on the artistic process as well as the business demands, time and project management needs for individual maker businesses to thrive.
Please email tanvi[at]tanvikant.co.uk to book Tanvi for artist or professional practice talks.