FLAME Artists' Residency: Nurturing Creativity and Fostering Artistic Exploration

In today's world, art residencies serve as a refuge for artists, offering them a sanctuary away from the demands and monotony of everyday life. Whether situated in an art center, university, or any other location, these residencies provide artists with a unique opportunity to fully immerse themselves in their artistic practice within a specific time and place.

During their residency, artists are granted the freedom to explore, reflect, and create, aligning with their own artistic visions or responding to the content and context provided by the environment. This dedicated time and space allow artists to delve deeper into their work, undertake research, experiment with new techniques, and refine their artistic skills.

In order to create an environment that sensitizes the community to art practices and fosters dialogues among artists, teachers, and students, the FLAME Artists’ Residency invites artists to reside on campus every year. These collaborations between artists and the university aim at enriching the creative atmosphere and providing valuable opportunities for artistic growth and interdisciplinary exchange.

The FLAME artist residency acts as a blanket for art practitioners, offering them a nurturing and inspiring space to thrive, away from the distractions of everyday life. It serves as a catalyst for artistic exploration, research, and collaboration, playing a vital role in the development and evolution of contemporary art.

FLAME Artists' Residency 2023

The FLAME Artists' Residency 2023 provided a nurturing environment for young Indian artists to immerse themselves in their creative practice, allowing the artists to draw inspiration from their surroundings. Three artists were chosen for the residency: Amaldev S. Narayanan, a sculptor; Mrudula Kunatharaju, an audio-visual performer and painter; and Fatema Canteenwala, a printmaker and painter.

Hailing from Visakhapatnam, Mrudula Kunatharaju explored and represented feminine narratives in her work. Her art focused on female anatomy, cultural taboos, stereotypes, and beauty ideals, shedding light on the restrictive standards and discrimination faced by women.

Amaldev S. Narayanan, influenced by his hometown of Piravom, Kerala, and his upbringing in a family of sculptors, primarily works with carving and painting. His sculptures often incorporate carved wood and are displayed on handcrafted furniture. Narayanan's art reflects his observations of nature, people, and animals, and he has participated in workshops and exhibited his work in various art galleries.

Fatema Canteenwala, a rising artist and scholar, experiments with different techniques and forms in her artwork. She completed her education in fine arts and specializes in printmaking. Fatema's work explores themes of unchanging perspectives, family, home, hygiene, and the human mind. She incorporates various printmaking techniques, including etching, drypoint, and lithography, into her practice.

As part of the residency, two workshops were organized:

Cyanotype Workshop

Conducted by Fatema Canteenwala and Mrudula Kunatharaju, the workshop introduced participants to the cyanotype printmaking technique. The workshop focused on narrative building and encouraged participants to use found objects and photographs to tell stories through the medium. Participants collected objects and photographs during a campus walk and learned the process of cyanotype printing in subsequent sessions. The workshop blended nostalgia and novelty, sparking curiosity and creating meaningful experiences for the participants.

Clay Modelling Workshop

Amaldev S. Narayanan conducted a workshop where participants learned the basics of sculpture and clay modeling techniques. They were asked to bring organic forms such as flowers or leaves to enlarge or replicate in clay. Amaldev guided the participants in molding the clay and provided personalized advice to help them achieve their desired forms. The workshop allowed participants to explore three-dimensional sculptural works and gain a deeper understanding of the medium.

The FLAME Artists' Residency 2023 provided a valuable space for artists to research, reflect, and prepare their pieces in line with their creative vision. The workshops facilitated the exchange of knowledge and techniques among the artists and participants, fostering a sense of community and collaboration. The residency culminated in an open studio where the artists showcased their work, including pieces inspired by the workshops. The FLAME Artists' Residency remains an important station in the artistic journey of young Indian artists, offering them the time, space, and support to nurture their creativity and expand their artistic horizons.

(Author: Bhavi Kanugo, Third-Year Undergraduate Student)

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