PHOTOGRAPHS OF EMPOWERMENt
resilience, AND HOPE
“Stitched In Strength: Photographs of Empowerment, Resilience, and Hope” is a solo photography project created by acclaimed photographer Clay Cook. It dives deep into the heart of Anchal by shifting its focus onto the people, places, processes, and products that define the brand. The body of work not only portrays the beauty of the artisans' craft but also shines a light on the dedicated women who give it life.
if you feel inspired by the exhibition, we encourage you to purchase the artwork. EACH PIECE YOU PURCHASE NOT ONLY ENRICHES YOUR SPACE WITH BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHY BUT ALSO SUPPORTS THE EMPOWERMENT OF MARGINALIZED WOMEN, CONTRIBUTING TO POSITIVE CHANGE.
PROFITS MADE FROM EVERY SALE WILL BE DONATED DIRECTLY TO THE ARTISANS IN AJMER, INDIA.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH YOUR PURCHASE NOW.
As a photographer, storyteller, and maker, my passion lies in creating meaningful connections and crafting stories.
‘Stitched In Strength’ is an immersive body of work that dives deep into the heart of Anchal by shifting a focus onto the people, places, processes, and products that make up the brand. My goal is not only to portray the beauty of their craft but to also shine light on the dedicated women who give it life.
When I first encountered the stunning artisanal textiles designed by sisters Colleen and Maggie Clines, I found myself deeply moved by the organization they founded—Anchal, and as I discovered the broader narrative of empowerment and dedication within the women who hand-crafted each product, I was immediately driven to share their stories.
This project has provided an opportunity for collaboration and growth, allowing me to combine my personal values and professional expertise while using the medium of photography to share the story of Anchal. Grounded in my commitment to social responsibility, this project gifted me a fresh perspective and undeniably transformed my life.
Many of the women I had the honor to photograph have experienced exploitation, oppression, and marginalization. Despite these difficulties, the artisans have shown incredible resilience, determination, and peace. Each portrait unveils layers of their life experiences, showcasing a raw, unfiltered expression of joy, hope, and strength radiating from their eyes and hands.
This project acts as both a narrative and tribute to the visionary minds and compassionate hearts behind Anchal. It is an invitation for viewers to reflect on the power of social entrepreneurship, where creativity and compassion converge to create a lasting impact. The vision of Anchal extends far beyond a quilt. It symbolizes a thread of opportunity and community that can mend and enrich the lives of women across the world.
ARTIST STATEMENT / Clay Cook
Clay Cook
Photographer
Anchal (on-chal) - noun
1. the edge of a sari used to provide comfort & protection to loved ones.
2. shelter
Anchal believes that design and collaboration can be the catalyst for positive change. As a non-profit social enterprise, Anchal provides economic opportunities to exploited and marginalized women in India through holistic programming, sustainable product creation, and global market access. With backgrounds in architecture and a passion for social justice, sisters Colleen and Maggie Clines founded the organization in 2010 in partnership with Vatsalya, an NGO in Ajmer, India. Anchal’s home goods and fashion accessories are entirely hand-made by Anchal’s 205 artisans using layers of vintage saris or certified organic cotton. Anchal has employed 460 women, impacted 1,822 lives, and created 119,749 eco-friendly products.
In collaboration with artisans, the Clines sisters explore the beauty of vernacular architecture, heritage patterns, and the maker’s journey of empowerment. Dynamic patchwork and unique stitch patterns define contemporary graphic designs, innovating traditional Kantha quilting techniques. This modernization has led to collaborations with renowned brands like the Guggenheim Museum, Bloomingdale’s, Brooklinen, Anthropologie, and others.
Research indicates that when women are given employment opportunities, they are 90% more likely than men to invest in crucial development such as education, shelter, food, and health. Anchal artisans exemplify this transformation and are evident through stories like Shama building her own home, Renu providing her family with a water filter for safe drinking water, Shama covering her son’s surgery expenses, and Neetu sending her daughters to college. Anchal's artisans uplift themselves and contribute to positive change within families, leaving a lasting generational and communal impact.
BRAND STATEMENT / ANCHAL
ABOUT CLAY COOK
Clay Cook is a renowned photographer and director known for his distinctive style in portrait and advertising photography. With a keen eye for capturing compelling stories, his work has been featured in prominent publications and advertising campaigns worldwide.
Before establishing himself in the photography industry, he pursued a career in the music industry, which provided him with a unique perspective on people and storytelling through imagery. This experience has deeply impacted his visual style, blending meticulous attention to detail with a profound emotional resonance. Clay Cook is also recognized for his humanitarian work, leveraging his talent to spotlight social injustices and champion societal transformation.
Clay Cook has worked with wide-ranging clientele such as A&E, History, Lifetime, Comcast, Carrier, NFL, Alaska Tourism, Kentucky Tourism, and Papa John's Pizza. In addition, he has also completed assignments internationally for publications such as National Geographic, Time, Forbes, Popular Mechanics, The Guardian, and W Magazine. claycookphoto.com | @claycookphoto
ABOUT ANCHAL
Founded by sisters and Louisville natives, Colleen and Maggie Clines, Anchal (pronounced on-chal) is a non-profit social enterprise that leverages design to create sustainable, income-generating careers in textiles for marginalized women, now artisans.
Anchal’s sustainably produced wares are meticulously crafted through methods that empower the artisans. Each heirloom-crafted product carries the hand-stitched signature of the woman who skillfully created it, using certified organic cotton, vintage materials, and low-impact dyes. These thoughtfully designed products not only exemplify craftsmanship but also contribute to sustainable community growth and safety, with Anchal artisans at the forefront of this positive change.
Anchal products have been sold in Anthropologie, West Elm, Nordstrom, Madewell, and Bloomingdale’s and featured in Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Better Homes & Gardens, Forbes, and Architectural Digest. anchalproject.org | @anchalproject
