The Department of Fine Arts, Sarojini Naidu School of Art and Communication, recently hosted ‘Art Souk 2025’ a vibrant Two-day Art & Craft Fair celebrating creativity, craftsmanship and artistic innovation, on the 15th and 16th of February 2025 at the premises of S. N. School.
The first Art Souk took place at the Golden Threshold, the city campus of the University of Hyderabad in March 2020; and the second Art Souk took place at the premises of S. N. School of Arts & Communication in April 2023.
‘Art Souk 2025’ was more than an exhibition—it provided a platform that connects art education with public engagement. This initiative was designed to foster a dynamic exchange between artists, students, and the community, encouraging young creators to push beyond commercial constraints and explore new artistic possibilities.
The Arabic term Souk meaning ‘bazaar’ is a fitting name to this event which served as a platform for students and faculty members of the department to display their diverse range of practices and creations ranging from painted terracotta platters to terracotta and ceramics sculptures, papier mâché masks, terracotta and stoneware jewellery, resin made jewellery to jewellery made out of e-wastes, and everyday functional objects like tote bags, cyanotype frocks, scarves and lampshades.
The event included activity corners where visitors were able to try their hand at various artistic techniques, including clay modelling, marble printing, linocut, serigraphy and block printing. The event further featured portfolios with painting and prints and painted postcards by the faculty members and students which were available to view and purchase.
The space also housed a shadow puppet theatre show that inspired children and adults alike, titled ‘Anhad/Unheard’, which means both limitless and unheard. The play was written, directed and performed by our own students on the theme of celebration of life, where adults discovered the child in themselves and children astonished us with their thoughtful and mature responses to the art works and activities.
There were also various open mic events, flute recitals to qawwali to folk and several songs to enrich the ambience. The delicious dishes and beverages prepared and served by the students with its creative titles soothed the soul and kept the energy alive.
Art Souk provided an alternative learning experience for the students of the Department of Fine Arts, in addition to their individual studio practice. In just a few hours, the premises of the school had transformed itself into a lively active space of learning and communication.
It was indeed a testimony that art can indeed bring people together, bridge gaps, transcend boundaries, and create a platform to exchange and share several ideas, languages and cultures.
-Tanmay Santra, Assistant Professor, Department of Fine Arts