Art Ichol Journal

Detour to Kutch
demands I imposed on it. I am still mentally processing how, almost formless shots
of foundry fire, stone crushing white dust, and ambiguous reflections in water that, in
spite of myself I find I quite like, can be translated into other art outcomes.
More commonly my artwork is strongly linear and I begin all major series of works,
whether textiles or not, with drawing. In this Maihar was a reflective experience in
more ways than one. The residency provided the opportunity for the meditation of
pen flowing on paper without pre-determined outcome, of not knowing exactly where
the mark making will go– even though if true to form it will be to block designs for
printing. Water is a recurring theme in my work. In Western Australia where I live, the
ocean is fast moving with strong rips and tides and large frothy, white surf. Around
Maihar, river, lake and pond water are slow or still, fringed with intertwined nets of
rushes and reeds, surface arrangements of water plants and perplexing reflections of
stone quarry stratification.
As a people person what I loved most about the residency was meeting other artists.
The evening ‘show and tell’ sessions in which we shared our work were inspirational:
listening to Sudeep’s poetry; watching Arshiya’s body become fluid as she danced;
enjoying Shalini’s exquisitely detailed couture dresses; absorbing the technical and
aesthetic excellence of diverse photographic styles spontaneous or pre-determined;
documentary or abstract. Everyone generously shared their knowledge, their ideas
and most of all their friendship. The prospect of on-going creative relationships and
collaborations is exciting and joyful.
Comradely sharing does of course come more easily after being served excellent
Australian wine before dinner, sitting around an open fire chatting, laughing, and
singing everything from Abba to Bollywood film songs. Art Ichol provided a very
supportive environment in which we were thoughtfully and generously taken care
of from the moment of landing in Khajuraho to arriving back in Delhi and, let’s be
honest we all like being a bit spoilt. What a pleasure to have the Maihar Band, the only
orchestra in India that uses traditional instruments brought in to play for us (potential