Gond Art with Usha Kar: Saturday 15 June, 10-1pm
When? Saturday 15 June, 10-1pm
What? Join Usha dapur Kar for a workshop inspired by the art and spirit of the Gond people, one of the largest clan groups of ‘original people’ in India. Learn about the beliefs that sit behind the charming, highly patterned artworks originally produced by Gond women and try your hand at this accessible, meditative practice - making your own art piece and co-creating a Gond inspired mural using drawing, painting, collage, and print and mono.
Interested to discover more about the beliefs, myths and folklore that lies behind Gond art forms, often copied without knowledge of their cultural backdrop and dismissed as naïve or primitive, Usha was inspired by a recent research trip to her paternal Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. Her journey took her to the Kachargardh caves where the Gond origin story begins, to the museums Bhopal where a number of Gond artists from the Pardhan clan work and to the Bimbetka caves where 3000 year old drawings connect directly to the contemporary Gond and Warli art styles.
Who? This is suitable for all levels and everyone is welcome. Under 18s must attend with an adult. Max group size: 12
How? This is a free workshop but booking is required. Please book using the button below or email engagement@ovada.org.uk.
Materials? All materials are provided for this workshop.
Meet the Facilitator: Usha is an Oxford based artist who recently returned from an Arts Council England funded trip to India to research the beliefs behind the art of the Warli and Gond indigenous people. Usha creates mixed media installations and paintings to stimulate reflection and conversation about social and climate justice. She combines precisely painted elements with a sense of flow and animism, linking the specific to the spiritual and universal. Beauty and challenge are at the essence of her art work which explores the creative chaos of what it is to be human.
IG: @usha.dapur.kar
