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Rucha Kulkarni works from Amsterdam (NL) and Pune (IN).
When reading Rucha's works, the imperative of engaging in the ‘Egalitarian Utopia’ is visible in the form and methods undertaken by the artist. These are palpable through the way she concisely portrays the coexistence of different layers of socio-cultural realities. This brings forth not just economic, social and cultural ambiguities and assertions, but also plays with the individual mind, raising questions of locating oneself geographically or mentally; questioning believes ideologically and historically. The same is reflected through her art works, her active role in sustainable social practice all of which revolve around existential notion of the self within larger varying, constantly shifting backdrops.
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2020-22
Isolation, introspection and pandemic The isolation during pandemic put a hold on the social art projects and created a room for introspection. I started reading short stories by Franz Kafka. I was inspired by the isolated protagonists facing bizarre or surrealistic predicaments and incomprehensible socio-bureaucratic powers, which also felt very relatable in those conditions. |
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2017-19 Consumerism vs sustainability I continued working with quilter communities, even after moving to the Netherlands from India, but this migration broadened my perspective towards traditional arts and crafts. I realised the importance of the eco-sensitivity of Godhari quilting in the period of Anthropocene. The recycling of the fabrics in traditional Godhari quilting is very much inline to the global awareness for sustainability. yet the struggle against consumerist fast fashion is pretty evident. Project 'Beyond Quilting' was initiated with this idea of bridging these different perspectives. during this time a number of works reflect upon the experience, exploration and research on consumerism, fast fashion, sustainability. At the same time, the idea of 'creative barter system' continued during the artist residency in ACC S.Korea and Beyond Quilting project. |
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2015-17
Craft community and Creative barter system I started this collaboration with the idea of ‘CREATIVE BARTER SYSTEM’, where I could help them for their goal of financial independence and set up their business, and they inspire me with their life experiences and beautiful artisanship. This led us to five year long social entrepreneurial project ‘Quilt Culture’. |
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2012-15 Identity, Gender and freedom |
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