Urmila
Reghunath
Artist Portfolio
We have been witnessing a period of devastating crises these last few years. It has however been my privilege to closely witness the transformative force of collective action and solidarity that has emerged in response. The leadership of community activists and youth collectives continues to forge revolutionary new paths for social justice, and I am committed to support this spirit of collective action through my work.
As an artist and designer working in the development sector, my work is a space where I reflect on the anger, pain, and intricate webs of responsibility and action that are inherent in justice movements. Through political commentary pieces I explore the performative nature of solidarity, allyship, and activism. Through self portraits, I am on a journey to understand my mental health and the consequences of abuse.
Background
Education
MA in Media Practice for Development and Social Change, School of Media, Film and Music, University of Sussex, 2018-2019
Integrated MA in Development Studies, IIT Madras, 2016
Work
Freelance Designer and Communications Consultant
Communications Manager for Nonprofits and Development Sector Organizations
Gallery Assistant/Intern
Recent Works (Acrylic on Paper)
everything is fine
From "Nothing Is Fine: A 3 part art piece reflecting on the privilege to pretend that everything is fine and learning to listen to those who have seen a lot more and a lot before you have.’, 2024
Fuel and Fodder
From "Nothing Is Fine: A 3 part art piece reflecting on the privilege to pretend that everything is fine and learning to listen to those who have seen a lot more and a lot before you have.’, 2024
Glasses for Sale
From "Nothing Is Fine: A 3 part art piece reflecting on the privilege to pretend that everything is fine and learning to listen to those who have seen a lot more and a lot before you have.’, 2024
Buzzwords and Bullshit.
When colonizers colonize decolonization. 2024
Recent Works (Pen on Paper)
Expecting impact within a week
What are the ways in which allyship is practiced globally? People belonging to marginalized gender, caste, class and religious identities have been at the forefront of movements of resistance from time immemorial. They have catalyzed historic shifts in our perspectives on gender, human rights, and justice. And yet, the effects of colonialism persist as the powerful and privileged few don a myopic and self-centered lens on what their allyship means. This artwork critiques these superficial forms of allyship and visualizes the long history of oppression and resistance that is fuelling and inspiring movements of today. It is a reminder that solidarity cannot come with an expiration date, however weary and bleak the future may seem.
2024
Recent Works (Pen on Paper, A Mini Zine)
The World Around Us - A Course Book. REVISED EDITION 2023
Floods, Droughts, Genocides, Lynching
2023
Recent Works (Pencils on Paper, An Analog Reel)
it’s time to listen
Floods, Droughts, Genocides, Lynching
2023
Other Works (Acrylic on Paper)
blind faith versus covid 19
From "Lockdown Diaries" 2020-2021
Other Works (Acrylic on Canvas)
fuck that
From "Lockdown Diaries" 2020-2021
sanity-ze
From "Lockdown Diaries" 2020-2021
hold your breath
From “Lockdown Diaries” and "self portraits" 2020-2023
Other Works (Acrylic on Cardboard)
‘Chaaya’ (tea)
From "Lockdown Diaries" 2020-2021
‘Ittavattom’ (confined)
From "Lockdown Diaries" 2020-2021
Other Works (Acrylic on Paper)
weary traveller
From "self portraits" 2019
Other Works (Acrylic on Canvas)
self love 1
From "self portraits," 2018
self love 2
From "self portraits," 2019
Other Works (Digital)
The Taunts of a Burst Balloon
Blissfully untethered
limp and grey
a carcass of promises hung
a reminder of last new year's day.
From a 3 part series "2020". This piece reflects on the personal grief of 2020, and a new year’s day that was celebrated amidst the hope emerging from nation-wide protests. 2020
The Desperate and the Despot
Now this one, now that.
Blistered feet tracing the length of the 'nation'.
Left. Right. Left. Right.
Puppet armies tying nooses for dissent.
From a 3 part series "2020". This piece explores the intersection of class and politics - when thousands of migrant workers arduously walked across the country, when thousands of minority voices were stifled. 2020
The Real Apocalypse
There's another virus out there
lurking within weak legalities.
It's endemic to the fascist's culling fields.
I wonder, who's immune?
From a 3 part series "2020". This piece comments on the dystopian media landscape - when fake news becomes historical fact. 2020
Select Works from a 30 Day Comic Strip Series (Digital)
Ghosts of a colonial past
An exploration of daily life as a colonial subject during my time as an Indian student in the U.K. Each comic strip is drawn from a real interaction experienced by students from British colonies. 2018
