Connecting with those who are different from us.

In India, as in the rest of the world, we face divisions of every kind. Differences such as gender, religion, politics, socioeconomic status, and language make it difficult for us to understand each other. For this reason, Art For Change Foundation’s theme for the International Artist Residency 2020 is “What to do with Difference? Art and Artist as Bridge”. For two weeks in Delhi, a diverse group of 21 national and international artists came together to engage the issue of difference, from the small and personal aspects of individual relationships, to the perennial questions of community and social identity.

How does Art address Differences?

Artists are observers, listeners, and storytellers. Through their art, they invite others to engage these stories, generating empathy and reflecting truth. Although solutions to the problems we face are not always clear, art can reveal the complexities of an issue that provide clarity and better understanding. Looking at the strife that differences have caused in the world around us, it is easy to become discouraged. Yet art can provide hope and direction, even when it addresses the worst of circumstances or the things that divide us.

Bridging Differences

The idea of bridging differences has struck the resident artists in multiple ways. Informed by the collective conversation, their work in this exhibit explores many topics in individual and collaborative artworks. In just two short weeks, in spite of their diversity, the artists found that art has created something that transcends their differences: a community founded on love’s creative nature. We invite you to join this important conversation.

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In March, 2020, we held our 7th Annual International Artist Residency, finishing just days before the pandemic spread and lockdown set in. 19 artists and 2 residency mentors from India, USA, Australia, and England worked on the theme ‘What to do with Difference?’—exploring how, in an increasingly fracturing world, artists and their art can bridge the things that divide. At this time that question feels even more relevant.

This year we introduced a two day cultural orientation for the 12 international artists and 1 mentor. This orientation proved to be a great experience for the international artists to learn more about India, go on a cycling tour of Old Delhi, visit local galleries and museums, eat Indian food and do sometime shopping along with getting to know each other and also get over jet lag. 7 national artists joined us two days later. The theme for this year's International Residency was "What to do with Difference? Art and Artists as a Bridge". As Dr. Rachel Smith, our mentor unpacked the theme, we found it so appropriate for our times. The program saw speakers and specialists from fields of gender studies, disability, youth nurturing, and art fields come to speak and present their perspectives on our topic. Over the weeks all artists were able to complete a few works that spoke to the theme in new ways. We ended with an Open Studio which was open to public. This too saw a good response.

The following exhibition which was to be held at the India International Center, New Delhi, had to be postponed as the lockdowns and restrictions were implemented. We are awaiting for the dates for when we can have the exhibition.

We are tremendously thankful that all artists were able to return to their homes without much problems just in time!