Kadal do Moga – Papamma Khader at Strangers House Gallery

Strangers House Gallery

Artistic Director: Sumesh Sharma

Curated by: Afroz Zain Algiers

Papamma Khader began making art in 2017, following the passing of her beloved husband, turning to art as a way to navigate her grief. Her first venture into art was through colouring books, but recently at the age of eighty three, she discovered the joy of watercolour. Painting with a “claw hand” that was partially paralyzed during the birth of her first child, she unabashedly invites us into vibrant landscapes from her childhood and her soaring imagination.

Born in the hills of Bajpe as one of fifteen children, and never having received any schooling, she spent her life cooking, gardening and raising five children in Baikampady, Karnataka. Through her intuitive mark making and embodied use of unconventional colour palettes, flows art that is playful and bursting with life – just like her. The diversity of her landscapes sparks wonder about her ability to travel far and wide, right from her living room chair. Her titles are reminiscent of zen haikus in their crisp and humourous insight, springing from sharp observations about routine life.