Grant Progress Update: Honoring Tradition Through Practice

With gratitude, I acknowledge the support of the Minnesota State Arts Board, made possible by the citizens of Minnesota through appropriations from the Minnesota State Legislature and federal tax dollars from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Over the past eight months, this grant has allowed me the time and space to slow down and truly study traditional Indian folk and tribal art forms. I have been researching, learning from master artists, and practicing the discipline behind Kolam, Warli, Mandana, Kalamkari, Madhubani, and Gond art traditions. I am currently working on Pichwai, continuing this journey of learning and deep respect.

As I study these traditions, I am gaining a deeper understanding of how difficult it is for traditional artists to keep their art alive without government and community support. These art forms survive because of artists who carry stories, values, and responsibility passed down through generations. Seeing how they preserve tradition while thoughtfully adapting to modern materials has given me immense respect for their resilience and dedication. Their work is not just creative—it is cultural preservation.

Through this process of research and practice, I have developed original design concepts and completed six new works, which are being prepared for an upcoming exhibition next year. I am sharing only glimpses of the process here—details, textures, and moments from the studio—saving the full reveal for the exhibition.

This journey is about honoring tradition, learning with humility, and allowing art to grow through discipline, storytelling, and connection to nature and community. More details about the exhibition will be shared once dates are finalized.