During my residency in a rural village in India, I collaborated with the local primary school to conduct an art workshop centered on collective creation. The activity took place in an outdoor courtyard of the school, where a large sheet of paper was spread on the ground. The children gathered around it, using mud, water, and simple tools to paint. All materials were sourced locally, allowing the creative process to naturally connect with the everyday life of the village.

The children painted with their hands, sticks, and improvised utensils, experimenting through smearing, splashing, and imprinting. Their gestures evolved from initial curiosity to more confident and rhythmic movements. They observed one another, exchanged ideas, and reacted playfully to each other’s marks, creating a spontaneous sense of collaboration. Through this process, they explored both materiality and bodily expression while building an atmosphere of shared participation.​

Teachers, parents, and community members also gathered around, offering encouragement and occasionally sharing their own interpretations of shapes or colors. Their presence gradually transformed the workshop into a communal event that bridged ages and roles within the village. This interaction strengthened local connections and integrated the art activity into the rhythm of village life.

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The workshop emphasized openness, accessibility, and co-creation—presenting art not as a finished object to be viewed, but as a process in which everyone can take part. The final large-scale collaborative artwork stands not only as a creative outcome, but also as a manifestation of collective energy, curiosity, and the relationships formed during the residency.