Tension of Belongings

Identity is constantly negotiated and redefined. For three artists from Andhra Pradesh, belonging means tracing the threads of pottery, painting, and the endangered traditions of the Banjara community.

Artists

Ponduru Yogeswar Rao (Dr YSR Architecture and Fine Arts University, Andhra Pradesh), Vaditha Hari Naik (Dr YSR Architecture and Fine Arts University, Andhra Pradesh), Gorle Lokesh Kumar (Department of Fine Arts, Andhra University)

Medium

Ceramic; Acrylic and shells on glass, Mirror, shells, m seal, and Acrylic on Roti; Water colour on paper

Venue

BMS Warehouse, Opposite Holy Cross Church Mattancherry (Kuriachante Nada)

Timings

10AM to 6PM (Mon to Sunday)

Till March 31st, 2026

About

Tension of Belongings brings together three distinct voices exploring what it means to belong—to a craft, a community, a way of life that the modern world threatens to erase.

For Ponduru Yogeswar Rao, pottery is not just a craft but an identity—his inheritance and inner voice. Through ceramic works, he opens a discourse on tradition and culture while expressing the journeys and challenges he has experienced.

Vaditha Hari Naik, a member of the Banjara community from the Rayalaseema region, highlights the purpose and innocent ways of life of indigenous and migrant families. Within contemporary culture's framework, Banjara traditions are gradually receding under the pressure of modern societal ideas. Her work captures the beauty of Banjara art, culture, ornaments, and the experiences that produced them.

In Gorle Lokesh Kumar's watercolour series, the cycle becomes more than a vehicle—it is a companion in the farmer's daily journey, carrying harvests, dreams, and struggles. It represents not only a physical object but also the invisible bond it shares with its owner.

Kochi Biennale 2025