Kala Curry Radio at tinieknit's Studio

A self-taught artist and animator, Lex turns thread into therapy and craft into comfort, one stitch at a time.

1. Tell us a little about yourself—who you are, what you do, and how art became a part of your journey.

I go by Lex, which is a chosen name I picked up a few years ago. I’m an animator and artist, but it took me very long to be able to call myself either of those. Art has always been a part of my journey because I grew up around creatives like my mom, grandmom, and others from my maternal side. They dabbled in all kinds of art practices from glass painting, to sewing, to knitting, and even crochet. As I embraced my queerness and grew into myself, art really helped me through it all.

2. Art isn’t just something we see—it’s something we live with. How does art seep into your daily life? And what does art mean to you?

I grew up using towels, bags, pouches, even dresses that my mom sewed. As I learnt what kind of expression I liked, I began to slowly fill my life with art practices and things that brought me joy. From hand-crafting miniature clay figurines for my desk, to making little animals for my bag or cap, I found that these little quirky items helped me be more authentic to myself and the world around me. To me, my art has been a tool to reshape myself, to take things into my own hands. A liberator of sorts, if you’d like to think so.

3. Why do you think handcrafted art matters today more than ever?

Everything is so mass produced these days! But people are still people, every one unique and different from the other, whether in microscopic ways or not. How can fast-paced mass-produced pieces represent all of us, then? 

Handcrafted art has so much care, consideration, effort, and emotion behind it. It has soul and heart poured into it by its creator. In a social media age, these items also serve as connections to each other. Handcrafted items have something that I really believe tech or mass production can’t replicate. And maybe that doesn’t matter to every single person, but I find that it matters to enough people.

4. How many years have you been practicing this craft?

I started crochet in May of 2019. I’m also very interested in other mediums, so I brought in drawing knowledge of shape language to help me make amigurumi patterns! I love to design patterns when I have time to do so, or if I have a custom request. But I’d say that even after 6 years of this craft, there’s still so much I have yet to learn.

5. What makes an artist an artist? (like who can call themselves an artist/what counts as being an artist)

This is a lovely question, because up until a year ago I didn’t think I deserved to be called an artist. Despite having a zine that I wrote and illustrated, and despite 4 years of Tinieknits. 

I think, to hell with what the industry or people hold as a standard for the title of an ‘Artist’. Do you have your own voice? Your own expressions and beliefs? The ability to influence someone or spark joy or thought through your expressions? You’re an Artist. I think that’s the toughest part, getting rid of what the majority says and finding what you think qualifies. It’s something that will give you surety when you adopt the title.

6. What does being an artist/brand that sells art mean to you? 

My business started as part of a college project, but eventually grew way beyond my expectations. It’s something that brings me immense joy, because I put hours of love and effort into my pieces, and the people that buy them also derive a lot of happiness out of them. It’s something that sparks joy and creates meaningful connections, and I think that’s amazing.

7. How long does it usually take to create one piece from start to finish?

Multiple hours, at the least! It varies depending on complexity of shape, amount of parts/pieces, and the number of colours as well. If it’s a piece I’m making a pattern for, then that number goes up by a lot.

8. What drew you to the medium(s) you work with?

My mom’s always had embroidery and embroidery-adjacent things lying around the house. I’ve always been drawn to art, jumping from hobby to hobby. I found a crochet hook one boring summer, and that brought me here. I’m especially drawn to miniature figures, so if it’s a medium that allows me that, I’ve thought about it or already given it a go!

9. How do you see art products being perceived in an Indian market?

A general audience is always surprised by my work. Crochet & amigurumi wasn’t as well known or popular till after the pandemic slowed down here. But when I started, most people still thought crochet was a grandmother’s hobby for clothes and tabletops. It really isn’t, it can be so transformative! 

These days people are really excited by the little creatures I whip up. I think the Indian audience is slowly opening itself up to many different kinds of art, not only the traditional kind, but also not only the western kind anymore.

10. Crochet is traditionally seen as a slow craft. What’s your relationship with time and repetition while making?

I grew up in fast-paced Mumbai, and that unfortunately seeps into my crochet as well! I also tend to get very absorbed into things I enjoy, so there’s been days where I forget to leave the room because I’m crocheting away. There’s an ebb and flow, I think. I also try to be gentle with myself, at times its repetition that’s second nature while multitasking, whereas at other times it’s grounded single task focus. I really feel that time ceases to exist when I crochet sometimes, because of the way I tend to throw myself into it.

11. Your pieces feel deeply personal and emotionally warm. Do you think handmade accessories can offer a sense of comfort or storytelling that mass-produced ones can't?

Absolutely! And that’s why I love stalls or taking custom requests. Tinieknits is something that I grew so that everyone could have something to express themselves with. Something unique, something quirky, something that feels like an extension of yourself, or allows you to embrace yourself more authentically. I think handmade accessories create a safe space and understanding for people that mass-produced items can’t, and in this day it’s something that’s really rare and hence really necessary.

12. As a queer artist, how do community and identity influence the kind of art you want to put into the world, if at all?

Community influences so much of all of my art. If not for the community I found, I wouldn’t be able to find or even live as my true self! Having been through that, I really strive to be able to provide a safe space or reassuring shoulder to others, and art is a really great medium to do that. Community and Art shaped so much of who I am, and I feel it’s only right that I make my own contribution and pay it forward. We’re all we have, I think. So it’s always worth it if it’s going to reach someone else.

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