
Kumar Misal
Kumar Misal's art is a direct reflection of his upbringing in the agricultural heartland of Kumbhoj, Kolhapur. He employs his practice as a visual autobiography, addressing the systemic challenges faced by farming communities. Witnessing societal apathy and the erosion of traditional farming practices, Misal feels a responsibility to respond through his art.
His process is deeply rooted in the agricultural cycle, crafting paper from banana, corn, and sugarcane fibres, before applying woodcut prints. This material connection amplifies the narratives he conveys. Misal's work directly addresses the political, social, environmental, and psychological impacts of displacement and migration, highlighting the loss of cultural identity.
He prioritizes process, mirroring the cultivation of crops in his art-making. Collaboration with his community is integral, reinforcing his connection to his roots and allowing him to act as a "sutradhar," a storyteller. Misal's work serves as a vital record of a vanishing way of life, preserving its stories and struggles.