The Artist 

A woman with long dark hair and a white dress sitting outdoors at a table working on floral inspired embroideries

Devi Vallabhaneni is an Indian-American artist whose intricate artworks explore themes of Haute Couture, contemporary art, and mathematics. Raised near Chicago, she brings an analytical approach to her practice, shaped by an early love of colour, and a professional background in finance. Her path to embroidery began with childhood needlepoint and evolved through formal training at Harper College in Illinois and Central Saint Martins in London.

Close-up of embroidery made to look like white flowers with small green centers.
Woman sitting at her embroidery station surrounded by yellow flowers, with a large leafy plant in the background and a green banker's lamp in the foreground.

Working from her studio in Los Angeles, Vallabhaneni creates embroidered abstractions using the finest sequins and beads sourced from Langlois Martin in France. Each composition is guided by precise formulas and patterns, reflecting her mathematical thinking and methodical process. Her collections, including Archetypes, Formal Gardens, and Colourfields, transform couture codes and personal references into sculptural surfaces that shimmer with visual complexity. Some pieces revel in total abstraction, stirring unconscious delights, while others allow the viewer to discern codes, motifs, and forms that create familiarity and connection.

Close-up of several glass jars filled with beads and sequins, stacked on top of each other, with black lids.

Vallabhaneni’s work has been exhibited in Paris, London, New York, Los Angeles, and other cities. In 2016, she won first place in the Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery. She continues to push the boundaries of embroidery as a contemporary art form, combining rigorous structure with emotional depth to create what she calls “Abstract Couture.”

Close-up of Artist's hands working with yellow and green beads or sequins on a beige surface.