At 36, Yadav is now an accomplished artist. He holds both an undergraduate and a master’s degree from Banaras Hindu University and Delhi University. His artistic journey focuses on labor and identity, and he has been tirelessly holding workshops for children of brick kiln workers for over a decade in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Similarly, Himanshu Jamod gathered insights into labor at a young age. At just eleven, his father, working at Bhavnagar port in Gujarat, took him to a nearby shipbreaking yard, igniting Jamod’s artistic aspirations. After joining art school years later, he continues to draw inspiration from the sea and the workers who dismantle enormous ships.

Jamod holds a master’s degree from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda and incorporates the imagery of workers into his art. He regularly visits the local shipbreaking yards to engage with the individuals making up this labor force.

Yadav and Jamod are part of a diverse group of 66 artists from 25 countries selected for the sixth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, set to commence on December 12 and run through March 31, 2026.

Grounded in Reality

The chosen artists represent a fresh wave of voices within Indian art, showcasing work that stems from their grassroots experiences. Curated by Nikhil Chopra and HH Art Spaces, this biennale aims to highlight the vibrant and untold stories of those traditionally underrepresented in the art world.

This year’s lineup notably includes a considerable number of artists from rural areas, presenting a stark contrast to prior editions dominated by gallery-represented names.

“Previous editions primarily featured established artists,” Yadav reflects. “This time, the focus is on younger talents who can reshape the Indian art scene significantly.”

His own contribution, titled “Only Earth Now They Are Labour,” utilizes clay sourced from brick kilns, symbolizing both creation and labor often overlooked in society’s narrative.

Art as a Social Commentary

“Shipbreaking serves as a central metaphor in my work,” Jamod explains, preparing to set up his installation in Fort Kochi next month. With a father who dedicated years to dockyard repairs, his piece aims to shed light on the often invisible lives of laborers in shipbreaking yards.

When the biennale opens, artists like Yadav and Jamod will offer a new perspective reflecting their communities’ challenges, contrasting sharply with the more commercialized art scene.

Artist Dhiraj Rabha grew up amid a backdrop of conflict, living in a camp designated for individuals connected to a local insurgency. His work explores the complexities of memory and social realities shaped by his experiences.

Connecting with Nature

Raja Boro, another featured artist, hails from a farming community in Assam, where his environment heavily shapes his work. “The landscape of memory plays a central role in my art,” he states, focusing on the natural world woven into his upbringing.

Khageswar Rout also draws inspiration from his beautiful village in Odisha. “Nature’s beauty has always been my muse,” he notes, showcasing sculptures that merge artistic ambition with social inquiry.

Aditya Puthur, impacted by societal issues, will present work inspired by existential themes surrounding life and death. His piece aims to challenge superstitions, drawing from the historical narrative surrounding famed illusionist Harry Houdini.

With the theme ‘For the Time Being,’ the 2025 Kochi-Muziris Biennale aspires to mirror the diverse realities of India. As Yadav aptly puts it, “An artist’s practice is deeply influenced by their roots.”