Arts & Education

I work with photography and the arts to create spaces for learning, expression and participation. My practice includes building education programmes, mentoring women photographers, and organising exhibitions that bring different perspectives into public view.

As a co-founder and founding trustee of the Chennai Photo Biennale Foundation, I built and led its education initiatives and now serve as Advisor to CPB Prism. Alongside this work, I founded The Kala Collective to support collaboration and opportunity for women and non-binary artists.

The projects below bring together my interests in arts education, feminist practice and public space. Each has been shaped through collaboration with educators, artists, communities and partner organisations.

CPB Prism

Photography and arts-based learning

At the Chennai Photo Biennale Foundation, I built and led education initiatives that bring photography and visual arts into children’s learning. Working with educators, school administrators and students, this included curriculum development, workshops, camps and exhibitions.

The approach gives children opportunities to observe, ask questions, experiment and tell their own stories. Exhibitions bring their perspectives into public view, recognising children as image-makers with something to say.

My role: Building and leading the education practice; programme and curriculum development; working with schools and educators. I currently support CPB Prism as Advisor.

Kanavu Fellowship

Supporting women to build professional photography practices

Through the Kanavu Fellowship at Chennai Photo Biennale Foundation, I have worked with women from smaller towns in Tamil Nadu to develop their photography skills and explore pathways into paid creative work.

The fellowship brings together learning, mentorship and practical experience. Its purpose is to address the barriers women face in entering the field—from access to equipment and professional networks to opportunities for employment.

My role: Organising and mentoring fellows, supporting their professional development, and working with collaborators to create opportunities.

The Kala Collective

A space for women and non-binary artists

I founded The Kala Collective to create a space where women and non-binary artists can connect, share opportunities, learn from one another and collaborate.

Through exhibitions, conversations and collective projects, Kala brings together creative practice and feminist concerns—including who gets represented, who has access to opportunities, and how we work together.

My role: Founder, working with members and collaborators to develop projects and opportunities.

Explore The Kala Collective →

Aval Idam 2025

Women and public space in Chennai

Aval Idam brought together photographs exploring women’s experiences of public space in Chennai. The exhibition asked whose presence is welcomed, whose movement is restricted, and how the city could become more inclusive.

A Kala Collective initiative, supported by Chennai Photo Biennale Foundation and developed in partnership with the Greater Chennai Corporation’s Gender and Policy Lab, it brought artists into a public conversation about gender and the city.

My role: Concept development, curation and organisation, working with participating photographers and partner organisations.

Women, Outdoors · 2024

Women’s relationships with public space

Women, Outdoors brought together photographs exploring how women inhabit and experience public space. The exhibition invited viewers to consider questions of visibility, belonging and freedom through the perspectives of participating artists.

A Kala Collective initiative in partnership with Goethe-Institut Chennai, it created a space for conversation about gender through photography.

My role: Concept development, curation and organisation, working with participating artists and Goethe-Institut Chennai.

Work with me

I welcome conversations about arts education, mentorship, exhibitions and collaborative projects, particularly those engaging with gender, public space and access to the arts.

Get in touch to discuss an idea or invite me to contribute.