2017

My work here was a continuation of what I've been doing with percussion instruments in clay but this time the attempt was to bring people together. So I've been making an instrument on which 3 or 4 people have to come together and get into a coordinated rhythm for the instrument to perform well too. That was the attempt. Collaboration with the other artists led to the making of a few other objects like the 'extra sensory reception contraption'.. something you wear around your neck to catch better sounds and smells, or even mumble into it so people can hear me better!
Sam and Jahnvi gave a completely new life to my ceramics and it was a pleasure to see that and work with them.

Photography: Dheer Kaku

Sweet Risk is a work that invites the viewer to participate by selecting boxes which contain mystery ingredients. Using ingredients selected, I will create a dessert for the participant. The ingredients used, range from common cakes to local produce and specialty ingredients.

Blurring the space between the kitchen and studio, I will create a number of desserts, with multiple combinations, that I may not have ever, thought to pair. Sweet Risk is a performative work and investigation into experimentation, chance, play and ultimately the consumption of risk.

Collect precious smoke(s) from everywhere
Then translate and transform
The essence of everything in there, green in greener
Be inspired
Like moth orchids at source
Like origins - like original
Like true distortion in inseparable from pattern
And finally never lose freedom in the search for formulas.

I will be presenting two works: Band of Outsiders, a musical trio comprised of keyboard, trumpet and guitar whose playing explores the idea of the individual in a collective, and Band apart, an air raft of sorts made of bamboo, suspended/supported by three coconut trees. Below this structure is a network of criss-crossing bamboo poles that can be used to climb up to the raft above. The raft supports one person at a time, encouraging their experience of solitude and a space through which to commune with nature.
Both works enquire into the themes of solitude and isolation even in company, and the need to find a space to withdraw to within a crowd.