ETHEREAL GROUNDS / Bangalore, IN (2025)
During the Ethereal Grounds residency in Bangalore, the textures and rhythms of Chickpet Market (a historic centre of trade and craftsmanship) offered a rich context for material and conceptual exploration.
Natural pigments, jute, and local spices were sourced directly from the market, grounding the work in the region’s cultural and ecological landscape.
Open-air Painting
Working outdoors at Mango Trails, the open-air studio conditions shaped a process-led approach to painting. Shifting light, wind, and surrounding vegetation became active agents in the making, integrating natural tones and textures into the surfaces.
Final Installation
The residency culminated in a site-specific installation of three suspended jute canvases, layered with gesture and organic matter. These works explored labour, impermanence, and the porous boundaries between artwork and environment.
Interactions
Beyond the studio, exchanges with fellow residents and local artisans fostered dialogue around materiality and ecological awareness. A collaborative tempera workshop became a space for sharing techniques and reflections on the intersections of craft, place, and community — reinforcing the role of art as a bridge between people and context.
