What do I want six indigenous women artists and their hopes for better tomorrow

What happens when indigenous female artists from all over India come together to share their dreams and aspirations? They create art that tells their stories, and what they expect for all women: access to education, place to nurture dreams, building strong female friendship, and more.

Last year, an artist in Bengaluru brought six such artists together – Gitanjali Das, Japni Shyam, Kamta Taheed, Kritika Joshi, Lado Bai, and Minakshi futures – and their artifacts are now gone. what I wantA book of books. Spotting art forms such as Gond, Pithora, Bhil, Warli, Fads, and Pattachch, each artist in the book has shared one of its ‘Wanta’.

For Warli artist Minakshi futures, her “wanted” was the solidarity of female friendship, where we can trust each other ‘. Working with idols of beautifully illustrated women, playing and dancing together, the artist says that she was attracted to her everyday life in the village. “Women are a part of every activity: is it making art together, meeting in weddings, or interacting with neighbors. In the workshop, we were asked to think about child friendly topics and I was immediately prepared for friendship, as it is closest to my heart, which is located in Ganzadgaon, which is on painting.

Depiction of female friendship in the art of Minakshi futures. Photo Credit: Minakshi futures

“Although most of the artists may have stories to tell, we portray them by someone else,” says Canto Jimo, an Illustrator and art director of Pratam Books. He said, “We thought of bringing these artists together for a workshop, and got them to tell them their story in any form,” they say, “women artists are not seen as their male counterparts”.

Gond’s Gond artwork themed on ‘vocal’. Photo Credit: Japni Shyam

At a three -day workshop in March 2024, artists were taken for screening Lapot ladiesAfter developing ideas, sharing stories and reading days. “This was the first time we had such a workshop, and it was a great learning experience for us. “We sat down and listened to them. All of them had some specific, emotional to talk,” They say, when the artists knew that the workshop would end in a book, there was no specific brief, giving way to “open, biological process”. After discussing some ideas, the artists were given a few months to send their final artwork and lessons.

Kritika Joshi’s artwork depicts a young girl dancing in front of the mirror, and her parents notices her and gave her a pair Mite
Photo Credit: Kritika Joshi

The 30th generation PHAD artist, Kritika Joshi, was the youngest of six artists. A graduate of the Indian Institute of Crafts and Design in Jaipur, she is known for PHAD paintings on clothes and paper that uses stone colors made of stone. “I chose the subject to show ‘Nutrition’ that parents need to develop their child’s natural skills. Mite (Aklets). The child is very happy, and is seen dancing with his dog in the rain, “Kritika says, who enjoyed her time at the residence.” All other women were married, and there were stories to share about marriage, children, etc., it was interesting to hear about their dreams, and what they have achieved. ,

The Pithora artwork of Kamta Tahad reflects ‘Play’. Photo courtesy: thorn

Award winner Bhil artist Lado Bai, the oldest from the group in 58 years. Known for his artwork which takes inspiration from his natural surroundings, village life, rituals and festivals. For what I wantLado Bai chose to introduce her art on ‘Protect’, portraying two women to protect a tree from cutting. “If we cut the forests, how will we live?” Artists say, saying how trees are protected in its city, Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh. “It took me five days to finish the painting with acrylic paint on the canvas.”

Price at ₹ 80, what I want Available on prathambooks.org, and storyweaver.org.in