SHINOD AKKARAPARAMBIL

Every transition in my life from a quiet village to a bustling town, from a thriving metropolis to the overwhelming scale of a megacity expanded my worldview, exposed me to diverse communities, and heightened my awareness of the shared struggles that shape our existence. The ever-changing urban landscape, the pressing ecological concerns, and the fluid nature of personal identity have deeply influenced my artistic practice.

This reflection is embodied in my charcoal sketch, a piece born from the solitude I felt amid the overwhelming presence of the crowd. In the city, I often found myself surrounded by countless individuals, yet a profound sense of isolation lingered. This paradox of being part of a multitude while feeling utterly alone became the essence of this work. The blurred, restless figures in the composition symbolize the transient nature of urban life, where people move in close proximity yet remain emotionally distant.

In 2013, I was honored with the prestigious Pollock-Krasner Foundation Fellowship from the USA, a recognition that reinforced my exploration of these themes. Through this sketch and many others, I continue to navigate the tension between belonging and detachment, the seen and the unseen, and the fragile interplay between identity and space in our ever-expanding cities.