KBF announces the lineup of ‘Edam’ exhibition featuring Kerala artists
Kochi / November 16, 2025
Kochi, Nov 16: The Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) has announced the participating artists in ‘Edam’, featuring the diverse art of Kerala. Commencing from December 13, it will run parallel to Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB), starting on December 12. Curated by artists Aishwarya Suresh and K M Madhusudhanan, ‘Edam’ will showcase 36 artists/collectives in Cube Art Spaces, Armaan Collective & Cafe, and Garden Convention Centre in Bazaar Road, Mattancherry.
“Edam will be a spectrum of ideas and thoughts as perceived by the artists of Kerala, throwing light on the depth of their roots embedded in traditions, heritage and culture of the land, inspired by other cultures across the world,” said Bose Krishnamachari, President, Kochi-Muziris Biennale.
According to Kochi Biennale Foundation Director of Programmes Mario D’souza, “’Edam’ was conceived in 2022 when we reimagined the Biennale, to extend the platform for artist from Kerala. We wanted to present a survey of contemporary art and ideas from across the state and its diaspora and spur conceptual thought and writing around it. This exercise led us across the districts, to villages, schools; to artists’ studios in kitchens and farms, and practices that had survived and thrived building its own ecosystems and on its own terms. ‘Edam’ honours this resilience and resolve. With Madhusudhanan and Aishwarya, we want to approach the exhibition as an inter-generational dialogue that thrives in dialogue across time and medium, and productive dissonance as well.”
The participating artists are: Abhimanue Govindan; Abin Sreedharan K P; Abul Kalam Azad; Anu John David; Arun B; Ashitha P H; Asna M A and Thasni M A; Devika Sundar; Devu Nenmara; Dibin Thilakan; Greeshma C; Dr Indu Antony; Josh P S; Keerthana Kunnath; Keerthy R; Latheesh Lakshman; Madhu Kapparath; Madhuraj; Mehja V S; Murali Cheeroth, Sudheesh Yezhuvath, P. N. Gopikrishnan, and Jayaraj Sundaresan; Nikhil Vettukattil; Nithya A S; Priti Vadakkath; Radha Gomaty; Rahul Buski; Rajivan Ayyappan; Ramu Aravindan; Ranjith Raman; Sebastian Varghese; Shadiya C K; Sibi Merlyn Abhimanue; Sonia Jose; Sreeju Radhakrishnan; Tom J Vattakuzhy; Umesh P K; and Visakh Menon.
“’Edam’ is a very young platform, a platform that selects and introduces new artists of Kerala. Therefore, new ideas, thoughts and experiences and latest methods of art practice of Kerala will be reflected in the artworks of the participants,” said artist-curator K M Madhusudhanan. An internationally acclaimed film-maker and interdisciplinary artist, he is fascinated with images, especially the advent of the moving image and its place in human history, seen in a series of films, paintings, drawings, video art, and sculptural installations. “The artworks will definitely be a joyful and thoughtful experience of the sixth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale,” he stated.
“This edition of ‘Edam’ highlights the vibrant range of practices of artists who trace their roots to Kerala yet work across the world. Through the Biennale’s inclusive platform, we hope to nurture curiosity and expand access to art education for all — from young learners to lifelong admirers,” said artist-curator Aishwarya Suresh, a Kochi-based textile-based artist and art educator who works at the intersection of traditional weaving, experimental materiality, and contemporary art.
Marxism and Buddhism influences are reflected in Madhusudhanan’s art. His works have been exhibited at KMB 2014 and the Venice Biennale, 2015. His films have been screened at film festivals, art galleries, and museums, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York. His feature film, Bioscope (2008), based on the journey of the then-new art form of cinema during colonial India, won multiple state and national awards.
A graduate of the Srishti School of Art, Design, and Technology, Bengaluru, Aishwarya Suresh has held significant roles in major art initiatives such as Keraleeyam and the upcoming One Kochi project. She has supported KBF, a 2010 non-profit charitable trust, in administrative and creative processes and coordinated large-scale art production, transformed spaces into functional galleries, and overseen installation and documentation of artwork.
ENDS
