Chennai, July 21: Common Threads Studio, and Alliance Française of Madras, presents The Last Glimpse, a compelling solo exhibition by acclaimed textile and mixed-media artist Kalyani Pramod, exploring the alarming decline of biodiversity and the fragile relationship between humanity and the natural world. The exhibition was inaugurated by Zai Whitaker in the presence of Yash Veer Bhatnagar, PhD. It will be open to the public from 18th to 31st July 2026, between 10 AM and 7 PM, at Alliance Française of Madras, Nungambakkam, Chennai.
Speaking about the exhibition, Kalyani Pramod said,
"The Last Glimpse is an invitation to pause and reflect on the silent disappearance of the species that share our world. By transforming discarded materials into stories of resilience and loss, I hope visitors will reconnect with nature and recognise that every small act of conservation contributes to preserving the delicate web of life."
This exhibition is a collection of transformed “found objects” that tell the stories of the disenfranchised animalia. With every passing day, human activity propels these creatures closer to the brink. Without proper measures, it is not only animals that are lost, but also the systems that sustain our food, water, and health. Created using repurposed materials such as discarded fabric, paper, plastic and metal collected across Chennai, the artworks transform everyday waste into evocative visual stories. Employing techniques including crochet, weaving, embroidery, punch needle, and other mixed media practices, each piece captures a defining moment in the decline of a species while highlighting issues such as habitat destruction, climate change, illegal wildlife trade, overexploitation, and the loss of biodiversity.
Alongside the exhibition, visitors can take part in a series of hands-on workshops that promote sustainable creativity through upcycling and nature-inspired art. Highlights include creating animal-themed artworks from discarded CDs and fabric, learning about pangolin conservation followed by making bird feeders from recycled materials, and creating butterfly-inspired textile art using reclaimed fabrics. Held from 3pm–5pm at Alliance Française of Madras, the workshops encourage creative reuse while raising awareness of wildlife conservation and environmental sustainability.
Kalyani Pramod is a distinguished textile artist with over four decades of practice, recognised for seamlessly blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary artistic expression. A recipient of the Nari Shakti Puraskar for her work with handloom weavers, she has collaborated with artisan communities across Tamil Nadu while exhibiting her work on international platforms including the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, and Al Sadu House, Kuwait. Through her Chennai-based studio, Common Threads, she continues to create works that celebrate craft while addressing pressing social and environmental concerns.
Drawing inspiration from naturalist and anthropological narratives, the exhibition underscores the interconnectedness of all life on Earth. As ecosystems become increasingly fragile, The Last Glimpse reminds audiences that protecting a single species also means preserving the habitats and ecological networks that sustain countless others, including humanity itself.
The Last Glimpse invites audiences of all ages to experience art as a catalyst for dialogue, empathy, and action, transforming complex ecological concerns into deeply personal and accessible stories that inspire hope and responsibility for the future.
