CreativeCollaborative Mothers is an art project initiated by New Delhi based artist Ruchika Wason Singh .It is based on the belief, that motherhood is a universal experience and an energy; which can transform itself to the understanding of extended realities, beyond borders and cultures. The project is structured as a residency , with the aim of bringing together artist mothers for a period of one week. To collaborate , to live together, to exchange notes and to create in a homely space , is the focus of the project. The participating artists are free to explore new collaborations or find extensions of their previous projects through their dialogues.
The project shall provide support of space for studio and accommodation to the participating artists, in a warm and cosy bungalow in the hills of Uttarakhand, India. All other expenses are to be borne by the artists themselves. The project is as much focused on the process , as also the product. At the end of the residency, each participating artist is expected to submit in original , two works on paper produced during the stay and a text piece on the process , impacted by the residency and the scope of exchange and dialogue it provided.The works and text submitted (in an A4 size folder) shall be a part of an archive .
Currently, the project is self – funded by Ruchika Wason Singh. Participating artists are expected to apply for funding if required.
The Concept
The conceptualisation of the structure of the residency, is the very core of my project.My focus is on a seven day, collaborative residency for mother-artists. The idea to work upon such a residency project ;sprung from my own constraints at taking long time out from family life , as well as the need to find platforms for dialogues.
Both,the time and the energy to create, are budgeted entities for creative mothers. The duration of each segment of the residency /project is worked around this practical issue we struggle with. I believe that the short duration of the residency can contribute in its own unique way; as opposed to the month/s long residencies, which often seem impractical for many of us to apply for or participate in. The week-long residency shall provide the participants the time and space away from their individual homes, to make another make-shift collaborative home ;in which they will they will collaborate as they live, cook, paint, chat in a domestic setting they will themselves create for each other.
Considering the short duration of the residency, the ideas and exchange of notes to collaborate upon, should be initiated at least a month before the commencement of the residency .This process, either in person or any other mediums of communication will also be a part of the final submission .The purpose of the project is to continue to find possibilities of self- growth and dialogue as artists , while continuing with our role as mothers. Rather than a grand plan , small segments of experiences of maternal life could become points of take off . The exchange could be in the form of verbal or written text and / or visuals, leading to a creative process.
I hope that the polarities of cultures, shall find their way through the universality of motherhood.
Submissions / responses to Open-Call could be individual or as a collaborative- duo of practising mother artists.
(Please read “Open Call” for more information)
Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/CreativeCollaborative-Mothers-Residency-Art-Project-972730426182038/?fref=ts
CreativeCollaborative Mothers is the first of the two projects initiated by Ruchika Wason Singh in June 2016. While CCM is a residency art project for mother artists from within and outside of Asia; A.M.M.A.A.- The Archive for Mapping Mother Artists in Asia is a research project , with focus on documentation of mother artists in Asia and their art practice.
See https://ammaathearchive.wordpress.com for details of the project.
Ruchika Wason Singh (Ph.D) is a mother artist based in New Delhi, India. She is currently Associate- Professor (Contractual) in the Department of Painting, B.F.A., College of Art, New Delhi. Ruchika has been a U.G.C.Junior Research Fellow at University of Delhi (2001-2006) Recent international exhibitions include Prescriptions , Beaney Art Museum,Kent, U.K. 2016 (curated by Dr. Stella Bolaki & Egidija Ciricaite) and The Blood of Women: Traces of Red on White Cloth , Isola del Liri, Italy, 2016 (curated by Manuela de Leonardis & Rosella Alessandrucci) .Ruchika is also Member,Editorial Board, Journal of Mother Studies. www.ruchikawasonsingh.com
CreativeCollaborative Mothers 