Isaac Tsetan Gergan
Isaac is an artist and facilitator from Ladakh, North India, and the executive director of Art for Change. After studies at Messiah College, PA (USA) and completing his BFA in Visual Arts from Emily Carr University in Vancouver, BC (Canada) Isaac moved back to his hometown Leh where he developed art programming as the Arts Officer of local arts NGO ‘Ladakh Arts and Media Organisation’ (LAMO). He has also worked as production manager at Bharti Kher Studios, New Delhi, and now brings his organizational skills and creativity to the Art for Change leadership team. Isaac has skill-fully and creatively guided Art for Change through the challenges of Covid and innovated various new models of virtual artist residencies that have built virtual community and expanded the reach of Art for Change. Besides leading Art for Change he finds time to photograph, paint, exhibit, and publish his personal creative pursuits.
Tanya Garg
Tanya Garg is works with Art for Change part time and on project basis. After graduating with a BFA from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, she gained valuable experience working in New York City as a gallery assistant at Gallery Henoch and the Invisible Dog Art Center, and also interned at Artbook | D.A.P. She also gained expertise from managing her family business in her hometown of Meerut. She is a multidisciplinary artist interested in themes of memory, sanctuary, identity and nostalgia, and is inspired by her home and other elements of quotidian life. She also has a keen interest in botany and is in pursuit of exploring the intersections between art, environment, science, and history. After attending a residency with Art for Change, she joined to help the organisation in its programs and to help realize its vision of building an Art Center.
BOARD MEMBERS AND ADVISORS
Joshua Koodathinal John
Josh is a professional painter, biker, and creative catalyst. Motivated by a love for the city of Delhi and the high Himalayas, Josh founded and runs Delhi's largest motorcycle group, ‘Delhi Bikers Breakfast Run.’ Besides an active studio art practice Josh co-founded and is Country Head for international bike touring company ‘Two Wheeled Expeditions.' Josh additionally runs his own motorcycle touring initiative ‘Beyond Motorcycling’ which is a combination of motorcycling tour and spiritual retreat. Josh received a Bachelors degree in English Honors from St.Stephen’s College, Delhi University, and studied Graphic Design. He also holds a Masters in Organizational Leadership. Josh set up Art for Change’s ‘Delhi Artist Studio Tour’ program and continues to help organize art exhibitions, facilitate artist residencies, and consult on public relations. Josh is also a member of the Art for Change board.
Senganglu Thaimei
Sengmei is a self-taught visual artist and a published illustrator besides an academician. She has a PhD in oral tradition of an indigenous community in India and has worked as an archivist of folk materials in New Delhi. She actively participates on international forums in intellectual engagements about indigenous knowledge, customs, and religious philosophies of lesser known tribal communities. She has recently ventured into an approach involving research along with artistic illustration – an attempt to present a confluence of scientific survey, folk knowledge, visual art, and literature. While she calls herself a beginner artist, she finds herself continuously painting and illustrating between her work as Associate Professor of English in the University of Delhi. Sengmei helps advise the team.
Cherian Thomas
Mr. Cherian Thomas brings years of experience in corporate and humanitarian work to guide Art for Change’s leadership as board member and trustee. He is currently Regional Leader, South Asia Pacific Region, World Vision International, a humanitarian and development organisation working for the well-being of vulnerable children, and oversees operations in 10 countries in the region. He has served as National Director and CEO of World Vision India. Mr. Thomas has almost 36 years of experience in diverse fields, and before joining World Vision India in August 2015, served as CEO, IDFC Foundation, where he oversaw the working of the Foundation and its joint ventures with the Governments of the states of Karnataka, Delhi and Uttarakhand in India. Mr. Thomas has worked in the areas of infrastructure, banking, project finance, policy advocacy, capacity building, programme support and advisory services for corporate & government clients and community engagement. Apart from the IDFC group, where he worked for almost 18 years, he has worked with leading corporations such as Tata Industries Limited, ICICI Limited, SCICI Limited and Citibank in the areas of corporate finance, project finance and banking. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering (Honors) and Masters in Management Studies in Finance from the University of Mumbai, India.
Stefan Prakash Eicher
Stefan is an artist and educator with an interest in art asking questions about what it means to be human. Combining an MBA in International Development with an MFA in Visual Art Stefan helped found Art for Change to explore the role art plays in shaping society for the good. Stefan was born and raised in India and is an Indian citizen. While teaching visual art in a New Delhi NCR school Stefan continues to help guide the organization as a member of the board with strategic planning, fund-raising, and program design.