Tradition meets experimentation in a week of colour, craft, and community at CMR University.
The Brushes & Beyond National Art Camp at CMR University’s Lakeside Campus entered its second phase with a spirited blend of textiles, printmaking, sculpture, mural traditions, and memory-inspired art-making. From August 22–26, 2025, a new cohort of artists engaged students in dialogue between tradition and innovation, community memory and contemporary practice. Over these five days, students gained hands-on skills and exposure to diverse techniques, while also discovering the wider cultural and reflective contexts that shape contemporary art.
Hrithik Chakraborty: The Colours of Tie and Dye
On August 22, 2025 Hrithik Chakraborty introduced students to the world of ‘Tie and Dye,’ a textile art that reshapes plain fabric into patterned, colourful creations. Through folding, twisting, and dyeing, participants explored how textiles become carriers of expression. His workshop encouraged students to experiment with hues and patterns, while discovering the meditative process behind wearable art and home décor.
Priyoum Talukdar: Block Printing Mindscapes
Later that afternoon, printmaker Priyoum Talukdar (MFA, Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh, 2010), originally from Assam and now based in Delhi, guided students through the ‘fundamentals of foam-block printing’ in a beginner-friendly relief workshop.
Working under the theme ‘Mindscape of My Surroundings,’ he encouraged participants to transform daily observations into bold graphic designs. With fifteen years of practice in printmaking, Talukdar emphasised the value of interaction, “Engage deeply, exchange ideas and you’ll learn properly from this camp,” he noted. “Students learn most when they collaborate, spend time with artists and explore ideas beyond their classrooms.” His session left students with not just prints but also a deeper sense of dialogue between art and lived experience.
Nikita Yadav: Artful Impressions
Also on August 22, young artist Nikita Yadav brought freshness to the camp with her workshop on foam-sheet block printing. Currently pursuing her BFA degree at Amity University, she shared how art allows her to transform elements from her surroundings into compact, geometric forms.
“For me, art is a language of expression,” she explained, adding that the camp gave her space to connect her ideas with material exploration. Her session introduced students to playful methods using simple materials, encouraging them to see how texture and repetition can produce powerful impressions.
Pradip Patra: Sculpting with Waste
On August 23, 2025 Kolkata-based sculptor Pradip Patra led an intensive full-day workshop titled ‘Transforming Waste into Wonder.’ Together with students, he collected discarded materials like fibreglass, iron, bamboo and cement to craft a collaborative installation. His practice, rooted in socio-political themes, inspired participants to view sustainability as a central part of artistic inquiry. “Sculpture is not only about creating objects but about creating conversations,” he said, urging students to rethink the relationship between art, society and ecology.
Shivakumar Sunkad: Urban Assemblage
The same day, Shivakumar Sunkad, an adept sculptor from Dharwad, turned demolition debris and scrap into sculptural narratives. He introduced students to the art of ‘assemblage.’ Pursuing his Master’s at Chitrakala Parishad, Bengaluru, Sunkad used stone, wood, and scrap metal, he showed how urban remnants can be transformed into meaningful sculptural narratives.
His works, ranging from figurative to abstract, invited students to witness the beauty in neglected materials. “The camp is a valuable space for students and artists to create something new together,” he reflected, highlighting the collective spirit of the event.
Nisha Dhinwa: Serigraphy Simplified
On August 24, 2025, printmaker Nisha Dhinwa from Rajasthan conducted a workshop on ‘Silkscreen Printing.’ An Assistant Professor at Chitrakala Parishad, Bengaluru, she demystified the process for a studio-light setup, simplifying complex procedures into accessible steps and enabling students to pull their first screen prints with confidence.
“It’s a great opportunity to be at CMR, sharing and learning alongside so many young talents,” Nisha said. The day highlighted how traditional printmaking can be adapted for smaller studios and student practice.
Nayanjyoti Barman: Home is Where Memories Live
On August 25, 2025 artist Nayanjyoti Barman led a deeply personal workshop exploring the theme ‘Home is Where Memories Live.’ Using cardboard as a flexible medium to build collective narratives, he transformed domestic objects into living archives.
He encouraged participants to bring stories of home, memory and identity into collaborative artworks. “For me, cardboard is not just a box, it carries emotions and infinite possibilities,” he remarked. The session fostered both creative play and collective reflection.
Preeti Sahu: Rust and Time
In the later part of the day, Preeti Sahu from Durg, Chhattisgarh, introduced students to ‘Rust Printing’ a slow, experimental process that uses oxidised metal to create abstract impressions on fabric and paper. “ I explore time itself and how materials speak of change through my work,” she said.
A graduate of Khairagarh University with an MFA from Shantiniketan, Preeti emphasised how this technique reflects decay, transformation and a connection with nature. “Through rust, I explore time and change. Materials themselves speak, if we listen,” she said. She encouraged students to embrace imperfection as part of the artistic process.
Krishna Ganapati Gouda: Kaavi Painting
Also on August 26, 2025, Krishna Ganapati Gouda led a session on Kaavi painting, the traditional mural style rooted in Goa and coastal Karnataka. Participants were introduced to its history, motifs and methods, etching intricate designs into red oxide plaster using natural tools. Gouda explained how he reinterprets mythological figures in a contemporary context while keeping alive the spirit of this mural tradition.
Gouda explained how he reinterprets mythological figures in a contemporary context while keeping alive the spirit of this mural tradition. “This is a great platform to exchange ideas, learn from fellow artists and grow together,” he remarked, highlighting the collaborative spirit of the camp.”Students found the workshop to be an inspiring blend of heritage and creativity, connecting them to centuries-old practices through a modern lens.
Ankita Daulatabadkar: Monoprinting, Ruminate, Self
Aurangabad-based printmaker Ankita exceled spontaneous, single-edition prints through her workshop on monoprinting. She introduced students to this expressive, painterly technique that requires no press or complex equipment, using a smooth surface as the “plate” for creating unique images. Participants explored additive and subtractive approaches—building up textures with brushes, rollers, and tools or drawing directly into ink to reveal their designs. The theme Ruminate, Self encouraged students to look inward, turning personal reflection and memory into layered impressions on paper.
“I usually work with elements from my surroundings and the observations I grow up with,” Ankita explained. “This camp is a great opportunity to develop my art, express new thoughts, and exchange ideas with artists around me.” Her session invited participants to see monoprinting as both an artistic experiment and a mirror of self-reflection, where students entered into a process that balances technical exploration with the freedom of personal expression.
P. Kumaraswamy: Vegetable Cut Block Printing
On August 26, 2025, artist P. Kumaraswamy from Telangana, currently based in Delhi at the Lalit Kala Akademi studios, introduced participants to vegetable cut block printing. His workshop transformed everyday vegetables such as potatoes, okra, carrots and broccoli into creative printmaking tools. Using water-based and acrylic colours, students carved patterns into the vegetables and printed them on paper and fabric, exploring textures, tones and recurring designs in a safe and eco-friendly way.
Speaking about his art, Kumaraswamy said, “My work often draws inspiration from weaving, the life cycle of silkworms and my own life journey. I use a vibrant colour palette and printmaking techniques, including textures, tones and sharp lines, to reflect these themes.” His session emphasised both sustainability and creativity, leaving students with playful yet thoughtful artworks.
Looking Ahead
With each passing day, Brushes & Beyond has grown into a living archive of ideas, techniques and cultural expressions, shaping the practices of both students and artists. As the camp enters its concluding phase, the final two days will be dedicated to collective celebrations, reflections, and displaying the works created during the camp. These closing moments will bring together the journeys of all artists and students in a shared spirit of creativity and community.