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Sharmila Samant

Sharmila Samant is a visual artist from Bombay, India. She graduated in Sculpture from the Sir J.J. School

of Arts in 1989 and a Diploma in Interior Design and Decoration at the L.S. Raheja College of  Architecture, 1990, a fellowship at the Kanoria Center for Arts, Ahmedabad, 1992-93 then a Residency at the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten, Amsterdam, in 1998-2000 which was followed by a residency at the Gasworks, London, 2001.

She works with a variety of mediums and forms such as installations, performance, and photography. Globalization, identity and consumer culture are issues central to her works. Samant has worked with activist groups and communities engaging in both collaborative and participatory art projects expressing her deep sensitivity towards suppressed and marginalized voices. She is the co-founder of a Mumbai-based collective called the Open Circle, which aimed to create a platform for meaningful dialogue among artists on an intercultural level and sought to address and engage with contemporary socio-political issues via an integration of theory and practice. Samant has curated international events, screenings and exhibitions individually and in collaboration. Since 2011 she is an advisor to Art1st Foundation, that has been working towards strengthening visual literacy, creative skills, cultural awareness and art pedagogy for children and educators. She has been part of Shanghai Biennale, Sydney Biennale, Korea Busan Biennale, Yokohoma Triennale, etc. and has participated in various international exhibitions.

Currently she is Associate Professor at the Department of Art, Design and Performance of the Shiv Nadar University.

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