‘KMB an encouragement for artists’, PMO advisor Tarun Kapoor

Kochi / December 17, 2025

Kochi, Dec 17: “The Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) is an encouragement for artists across the world,” said Tarun Kapoor, an advisor in Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), after viewing the art works featured in the main venue, Aspinwall House featuring the historic Director’s Bungalow and Coir Godown.

Mr Tarun was on an official visit to Fort Kochi. He was accompanied by Cochin Port Trust Chairman B Kasiviswanathan and Kochi Biennale Foundation CEO Thomas Varghese, who welcomed him to the venue.

The PMO official appreciated the works of the artists for their concepts, forms, depth, scale and aesthetics that aligned with KMB sixth edition theme, for the time being, mixing memories, histories, presence, and absence.

“It’s too short a visit to speak more on the works,’’ he said as he listened intently to art mediator, Arundhati Karthik’s introduction to the artists and explanation of their art.

She walked him through the three-part work of the Panjeri Artists’ Union Collective comprising 14 artists from West Bengal, who, through visuals, have created objects brought from their home state, to make political statements on the plight of migrants. It has been installed at the entrance of the Coir Godown.

Ms Karthik also led him through surrealistic work of Dhiraj Rabha portraying insurgency in Assam, to the life and labour in brick kilns depicted by Delhi-based Birendar Yadav, and R B Shajith’s paintings of fast-fading lush landscapes and Kerala architecture. He also keenly looked at Kirtika Kain’s depiction of Dalit diaspora, Pallavi Paul’s installation on body and its journey, and Biraaj Dodiya’s installation on dualities.

She explained the works of Zarina Muhammed and the archives of Marina Abramović Institute (MAI) at the Aspinwall Bungalow.

Mr Tarun experienced the healing power of Amsterdam-based artist, Abul Hisham; felt the cooling effect of Faiza Hassan’s depiction of receding waves on the floor, listened to the music of Honolulu-based Bhasha Chakrabarti quilt-making installation on diaspora; Smitha Babu’s exploration of vanishing landscapes and performance on coir workers.

The official silently conversed with Anja Ibsch working as human body as site; besides viewing Huma Mulji’s installation and Ratna Gupta’s art during his short visit.

ENDS

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