Art Spaces Kochi organises ‘Canopy Art-Holic’ painters camp

As part of the new

Art Spaces

Kochi (ASK) initiative launched in the city, a painters’ camp was recently held at Queen’s Way, Chathiyath.

The painters set up their canvases, colours and brushes under the cool shades of the walkway trees, and painted away to glory. A few who took part include K T Mathai, Amrutha V R, Jagesh Edakkad, Sonil Vallarpadom, Sajeesh P A, Sajith Puthukkalavattom, Shinoj Choran, Vipin K Nair and Uthara Ramesh. It was coordinated by the Centre for Heritage, Environment and Development aka C-HED, an R&D body under the Kochi Corporation.

A few days ago, it was reported that the initiative was one of the suggestions that came up in a discussion between Kochi Mayor Anil Kumar and actor Jayasurya in early January, soon after the Mayor assumed office. ASK, which aims to provide spaces and infrastructure to artists and performers, was inaugurated recently at Jos Junction and hosted its debut performance by an amateur band at the Durbar Hall Ground on Valentine’s Day. It was followed by a ganamela by Cochin Mansoor and a chakiarkoothu performance at Chathiayath Road.

“We are hoping that more venues for artistes - mainly amateurs, and also established ones - who have been faced with a financial crisis during the pandemic, will pop up when we start conducting programmes. Once we provide spaces we hope to create a domino effect and give others the confidence to do the same,” Anil Kumar had told us, adding that he has always been artistically inclined; and that he learnt to play the mridangam as a youngster.