Ethereal Grounds Art Residency — Home

Material Exploration in Chickpet Market

During the Ethereal Grounds Art Residency, the textures and rhythms of Bangalore’s Chickpet Market, a historic hub of trade and craftsmanship, became both a source of inspiration and a laboratory for experimentation. Raw materials such as natural pigments, jute, and spices, deeply connected to the region’s cultural and ecological identity, were carefully sourced. Through these materials, the work explores the sensory and symbolic qualities of place, translating them into large-scale paintings that reflect themes of labor, transformation, and impermanence.

Open-air Painting

Working outdoors, surrounded by Mango Trails' diverse ecosystem, significantly influenced the painting process. The environment itself shaped the gestures, with earth tones and organic textures integrated directly into the canvas. Unpredictable conditions (shifting light, wind, and the presence of local flora) became active collaborators, blurring the boundaries between artist, process, and place.

Final Installation

The residency culminated in a site-specific installation featuring three jute canvases suspended within the landscape. Marked by natural pigments and gestural layering, the works echoed the surrounding environment while evoking themes of impermanence and transformation. This open-air presentation invited viewers to experience the paintings as part of a living, breathing ecosystem rather than isolated objects.

Interactions

Beyond the studio, engagement with fellow residents and local artisans fostered a dialogue around materiality and environmental awareness. A collaborative tempera workshop facilitated the exchange of techniques and reflections on the intersections of craft, ecology, and community. These interactions deepened the understanding of the social and cultural dimensions of artistic practice, reinforcing the role of art as a bridge between people and place.

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MA Research | Brera Academy of Fine Arts