Ilamon Banrisa Thangkhiew

lamon is a textile designer who explores in unraveling folk stories and traditions through craftsmanship. She works closely with the artisans and the weaving community of Meghalaya to preserve the skills and uplifting the craft. Ilamon has a keen eye for details and works sensitively with material and colours hands-on. Combining the traditional and contemporary aesthetics to create textiles. Her experience working in handcrafted sector in developing designs helped develop her creative identity, and the process of discovering her values and practice. Specialising in weave using back-strap loom and frame loom. She finds joy in the emotional connection with hand weave and using natural fibres to create surfaces and fabrics for interiors and spaces. She’s committed to make a meaningful impact and contribute positively to society. She has been honoured with an award “PRIME Award” at the Ateliers Meghalaya Program in February 2021 for her initiatives in working with Ramie Fibre and engaging with the local community using sustainable practices and community development for Garo Hills, Meghalaya. Her Designed Ramie lamp shade created for “Northeast Edit Found. Curated. Edited” crafted from repurposed waste fibres and yarns was featured in the Architectural Digest, India in July 2022. In August and September 2022, She designed and wove the ramie textile piece that was exhibited at the Sur Santati -Then, Now, Next exhibition Celebrating India through the continuum of Indian Heritage textiles at the National Museum, New Delhi India. She was selected by the State Government as part of the delegations to attend the exhibition Meghalaya Ramie Project at the Lace and Fashion Museum in Calais on 8th October 2022. Coming from a Khasi tribal background that boasts of sacred forests, living root bridges, plunging waterfalls sparkling rivers and caves tell my story through textiles.