INDIA - Sanskriti Kendra Residency Revisited

My thoughts have been drifting toward India lately as they struggle with a massive Covid-19 surge. May relief come soon to all those who are suffering.

This has inspired me to look back to my time at the Sanskriti Kendra Residency in New Delhi in 2010 for 6 weeks. This residency was a calm respite in the general noise and clamor of New Delhi, a five acre compound reserved for artists with onsite museums and spacious grounds for reflection.

Some of the writings below in quotes are from my previous blog posts, journals and my Ebook - The Far Shores of Being (which you can download for free at the bottom of the page).

Logbook: New Delhi, India March-April 2010 Sanskriti Kendra Residency

“Anyone who has been to India can relate - the white knuckled taxi drive from the airport, the noisy chaotic clamor of one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Then the striking moments of peace, beauty, simplicity. But this is why we come here - for the contrast.

Sanskriti Kendra is a large oasis, walled and buffered from the chaotic city of New Delhi, with gardens, flying peacocks, and cheeky monkeys. We are fed a delicious smorgasbord of vegetarian Indian food, and otherwise we are well taken care of. My apartment - upstairs bed and bath, downstairs studio - is spacious enough and despite the voracious mosquitos as we move into the spring months, a place I can call home for these next 6 weeks.”

Banyan trees with exposed roots and lodging beyond. ©Amy Guion Clay 2010

“Each morning I awake to the sweeping of the fallen leaves by the workers, and in particular it is the Banyan leaf that has caught my eye and become the focus of the series I am working on here. And because this is a culture that loves to decorate everything - from the elephant trunks to the henna patterns on the hands and feet - I have affectionately adorned my leaves to mirror the culture.”

Detail of decorated Banyan leaves stitched on handmade paper. Sold. ©Amy Guion Clay 2010

Painted and decorated Banyan leaves stitched on handmade paper. Sold. ©Amy Guion Clay 2010

“My response to the stimulation of India is to go still. The on-site Museum of Everyday Objects is cool and dark in the oppressive heat, so I spend my days inside, drawing in a meditative and focused state - noticing the care given to the simplest of useful tools. Everything has some decorative detail, and I relish the opportunity to spend silent time looking closely at the care and artful attention to these everyday objects.”

“It seems curious to me that I am working mostly in black ink here in India, often on white paper, when the world around me is a cacophony of color. But this is my way of creating order amidst the bustling chaos of the city beyond the compound walls.

We have an exhibition in 10 days, something will need to happen! I’m low energy and unproductive so far, and I blame it on the oppressive heat. But I reckon it's just a true and somewhat convenient excuse to be a bit summer-heat lazy. In any case, i am pushing through the lethargy and slowly slowly bringing thoughts to form.”

There is so much to respond to visually in this culture and environment, and I’m overwhelmed with options. The above drawing/transfers are part of a series using the simple doorways of the exquisite Qutab complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Mehrauli area of New Delhi.

“One of the beauties of a residency such as this, is the onsite "junk pile". I scavenged several old shutters and miscellaneous things from a shed that looked well abandoned, as well as leaves and pods from the grounds. I then drew the fallen Banyan leaves directly onto the wood, attached the wooden shutters together and added seeds and pods and peacock feathers. I was well pleased with my “Altar Piece”.

Unfortunately, I was told later by my hosts that I wasn’t allowed to remove anything from the grounds and would have to leave this construction behind. I begged and pleaded and they finally agreed that I could take it with me, but this is a cautionary tale - always ask beforehand!

Altar - Found objects, assembled and drawn. ©Amy Guion Clay 2010

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