Coimbatore’s public spaces create a canvas for art

French artist Chifumi Krohom’s giant yoni posture – a symbolic hand gesture depicting the power of feminine power – breathes life into a concrete aspect at the Tamil Nadu Urban Housing Development Board colony in the Ukkadam arts district. Graffiti is also a dedication to transgenders who live in the same building and earn a living as caterers. Art District, an initiative of St+art India Foundation in association with Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation and Asian Paints, is India’s sixth and the state’s second open-to-all public art gallery. “Each design is inspired by a powerful story,” says Akmal, Assistant Project Manager, St+Art India.

Corporation Commissioner, Raja Gopal Sunkara IAS says that such places make the city alive. “What we have seen, especially in Ukkad, is a sense of community where all the residents and children come together and paint. It’s not just an artist’s impression but a community activity.”

He says the youthful and vibrant look brands the city as cosmopolitan and also attracts a floating population. “Metropolises like Mumbai and American cities like New York have street art culture that becomes a part of the idea of ​​that particular city. In Tamil Nadu, we are starting this from Kannagi Nagar in Chennai and Ukkadam here.

Street art and graffiti, which paint everyday walls, have become powerful tools of change in the city. For example, the wall mural on the premises of the Taluk office near the race course is evocative. The painting depicts the handloom weavers of Negam (known for their hand-woven saris) and draws attention to the community.

“Art heels,” says award-winning artist V Jeevanathan, who along with a team from Bosch enlivened the walls of a shelter for abandoned women in Kempty Colony. He used bright colors to recreate the setting of the forest complete with tigers and peacocks. Jiva, the founder of the Chitrakala Akademi, which has groomed budding artists in the city for several decades, is also proud of his 44-feet-high mural, which displays majestic elephants on one of the walls of the Ukkadam Arts District. “It is inspired by the greenery and wildlife of the Western Ghats. I’m 60, but I climbed onto the scaffold to finish the job. I am happy to see the hustle and bustle of art in the city.”

A quick stroll down the streets featuring art engages you with colorful abstractions, lettered fonts, aesthetics, and more. The creators say that art in public places is an attempt to democratize art. Vikas Nagrare, Director of Special Projects at St+Art, says, “St+Art India takes art out of traditional spaces to break down socio-cultural barriers. He chose Ukkadam, a neglected neighborhood, to bridge the gap between the marginalized communities and the general public. “We have done nine murals so far. We are also planning to develop a multi-purpose scrap-to-sculpture park where the installation will be developed through scrap. We engage with local communities through workshops and make them aware of how they can be custodians of this habitat,” explains Vikas.

Art by Poornima and Sadhana | photo credit: Pranav Gohil

The team started the Coimbatore initiative in 2018 along the Kovai Art Trail, in which murals were painted on several buildings in the city. A vibrant palette that adorns the walls of Jawan Bhawan (Ex-Servicemen Building) by artist Nasto Moho, inspired by plastic tarps litter (basket) of Tamil Nadu. It depicts a woman wearing a legend in a Kanjeevaram sari yali

Kathmandu-born artist Kiran Maharjan’s work on the wall of the cancer ward of Coimbatore Medical College Hospital depicts the cotton harvest and pays tribute to the working class.

community integration

One of the historic works, overlooking the city’s 75-foot-long District Library in front. It features the faces of the trans community, uses the geometric patterns of Kovai Kora cotton sarees in warm colours, and sports the text ‘Indru Namdhe’. Bengaluru-based artist Poornima Sukumar and Arvani Art Foundation founder Sadhana Prasad came together to integrate the transgender community into society through public art. In the Police Commissioner’s office building, a Thanjavur doll can be seen holding a smartphone instead of a signature pose made by artist Shiva Kumar Akula. “It is not only about a cosmetic makeover to the building but also involving the community in skill building through art workshops. We have collaborated with 14 artists including international artists,” explains Akmal, coordinating the Ukkadam project Completed in two phases, the latest one is themed around everyday items, especially sanitizers and masks that have become a part of everyone’s daily routine.

Graffiti by artist Mamta Singh at SaaS company Kovai.Co | photo credit: special arrangement

Apart from public spaces, corporate companies are also adding colors to the office interiors to make the space welcoming for the employees. Rajasthan-based artist Mamta Singh was recently in the city to create graffiti work on walls at SaaS company Kovai.Co. He painted a design featuring words from the Coimbatore dialect, such as epdiIrukenga, Angittu Ingitu, And akkaporu, Says Mamta, “Many budding artists here have a strong presence on Instagram.

Says Vivek, “The visiting artists from the city got a chance to collaborate with international artists. It has started an art movement in the city.”