In Conversation with
Yahvi Duggal
Yahvi is a textile artist and educator based in London. Her practice is rooted in the traditions of zero-waste living she grew up with in India drawing inspiration from everyday materials to create unique woven artworks.
Your pieces are incredibly beautiful and reveal your intricate knowledge of weaving techniques. What initially inspired you to begin working with the loom?
My first encounter with a loom was in 2017 during my undergraduate studies in India, as part of a craft cluster trip to Dehradun in northern India. There, I documented the weaving process and the artisan family who practiced it. Surprisingly, they were the only family left in the village still continuing the craft.
That experience left a lasting impression on me. Over the following four years of study and two years of work in India, I had the opportunity to explore various forms of traditional weaving, yarns, natural dyes, and artisan techniques.
These encounters built the foundation of my understanding of materiality and craft. My time at the Royal College of Art later helped me refine my practice, allowing me to narrow my focus on core techniques and raw materials while building a strong identity centered on craft and sustainability.
How has your process as an artist evolved?
My process is always evolving, guided by sustainability as a central theme. Over the past two years in the UK, I’ve developed connections with local mills and independent studios who generously share their deadstock yarns with me. I’m constantly amazed by the variety and richness of what’s available even within waste materials.
Many of my materials are also sourced from local cafés and restaurants. Through my practice, Peel Studio, I work with kitchen waste such as eggshells, coffee grounds, and onion peels, transforming them into dyes, textures, and surface details that give each piece its own character.
How do you collaborate with clients when creating custom commissions for specific projects?
A range of weave samples is available to help you choose the textures, colours, and materials that best suit your vision and space.
Each project is developed individually, reflecting your story, palette, and design ethos.
After an initial design meeting, I create sketches and material boards to bring your ideas to life.
Pattern development takes one to two weeks and includes a small refundable fee if you decide to proceed.
All textiles are handwoven to order. Minimums apply, with a maximum width of 2 metres.
Once designs are approved, production takes Minimum two months.
Please note currently these pieces are currently only available in the UK.
