The urban landscape of Kochi is undergoing a vibrant transformation, becoming an open-air gallery of social dialogue and community reflection. The Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) has launched its ambitious Island Mural Project as a key part of the ongoing sixth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB 2025). This initiative is actively converting walls across the historic neighbourhoods of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry into dynamic sites for public engagement and shared belonging.
Artists Weave Local Histories into Public Walls
Rooted in the biennale's deep engagement with place, the project invites residents and visitors to experience these neighbourhoods anew. The murals are not mere decorations; they speak directly to local histories, cultural textures, and living communities. The first wave of this artistic intervention features powerful works by several acclaimed collectives and individual artists.
At the forefront is the Aravani Art Project, a collective of transgender and cisgender artists. They are creating striking murals on the new Women and Children's Hospital on Bazaar Road in Mattancherry. Their art reflects lived experiences using motifs inspired by the city itself. Transgender artists Chandri, Prarthana, Varsha, and Jyothi, alongside cis artists Nandini Rajaramanathan and Murugan Gopi, are involved in this ongoing work.
Prarthana, from Bengaluru, addressed the discrimination faced by transgender persons, noting they are often compelled to prove their worth through relentless hard work. Chandri, from Hosur, highlighted the critical lack of educational opportunities for many in the community. Varsha, from Chennai, explained that the collective has teams in multiple cities and sustains itself through such mural projects.
Diverse Voices and Collective Efforts
Nearby, at Cube Art Spaces on Bazaar Road, the mural is a collective effort by an eight-member group called The Trespassers. They describe their practice as layered, engaging with ideas of insiders and outsiders. Their work intentionally invites viewers to "trespass" into the artwork and carry its meaning into their memory.
In Fort Kochi, close to the biennale's main venue, Aspinwall House, Goa-based multidisciplinary artist Osheen Siva has created a significant mural. It explores Dalit aesthetics, anti-caste thought, gender, and postcolonial histories, translating complex digital expressions into a format accessible to the public.
Also in Fort Kochi, artist Munir Kabani has contributed a work on the Arthshila wall. It simply features the word 'Love' in both English and Malayalam, serving as a subtle yet powerful invitation to shared warmth and universal meaning.
Project Timeline and Future Additions
The Island Mural Project is scheduled to run through March 31, 2026, ensuring a lasting impact on the city's cultural fabric. More artists are set to join this public art movement. Notably, artist Pradip Das is scheduled to begin work on the Simi Warehouse wall on Bazaar Road, Mattancherry, in February, adding another layer to this growing tapestry of stories.
This initiative by the Kochi Biennale Foundation demonstrates how art can move beyond gallery walls to foster reflection, celebrate diversity, and strengthen the sense of community in public spaces. It positions Kochi not just as a host for a major international art event, but as a living canvas where global themes intersect with local narratives.
