Art binds people together and a group of young girls from Mangaluru is proving it through their mural paintings. Their activities to promote modern art has gathered much appreciation from people in and around the city. On the eve of World Art Day, the team had planned to initiate this project at Mangalore Baking Company but unfortunately, they had to cancel it due to spike in Covid.
“The idea to execute such an event started when a young artist, Malaika Sequeira, who came up to me asking help to launch herself as an artist. So, I thought of organising an art festival where art lovers and youngsters can exhibit their art. Initially, I thought of adding few girls and professional woman artists to hold this event as a workshop where they can showcase as well as teach their artwork to people. But due to Covid, we had to keep postponing it,” said Gloria Viegas, curator and coordinator of the event.
Not to discourage these art enthusiasts, Oshin Pereira and Colin D’Souza, co-founders of Mangalore Baking Company, let the girls do murals on the walls of their outlet.
Speaking to NewsKarnataka, Gloria Viegas added that “Malaika wanted to make a mark in the world of art by doing something different. I told her that this wall painting would be the best way for her to launch herself as an artist. Since the wall is huge, a few of her friends joined and painted along with her by following the Covid protocols. Now, we are an all-women team of six girls along with the support of artists and small entrepreneurs”.
Malaika is well-supported by her friend and social media manager, Letitia D’costa and her sister Serena Janice, along with her friends Amnah Khatri, Simona Fernandes, Sahanika Shenoy and Rinee Noronha.
“Few asked us to put up a social message on the wall. I believe that is of no use, instead we should carry it out through our actions. We see competition everywhere. The women entrepreneurs who have lent their support run small businesses. Therefore, we have to create an equal space for everyone. That is the message we wanted to put out, to support each other and grow together in art and business. That is how we came up with the message of ‘Growing Together,” said Gloria.
While speaking more on the initiative, Gloria said that, “There is a need to cheer these young artists in what they are doing.” She expressed that often, the artworks go unnoticed or it doesn’t get much reach in social media. She said that these paintings, not only act as an inspiration to artists but also shows something different to children as well as to adults. “We are happy that many women voluntarily paid a visit to know what we were doing and expressed their support,” she added.
Women entrepreneurs like Joanna Vas of Coppernicus, Dr Shruthi Rao of Soulfully Made Crafts, Anvitha Rai, proprietor Cafe Mandala, event planner Sanchia Nazareth, upcoming music artist Frizzel D’Souza, Emcee Hera Pinto, psychologist Arathi Kamath and others have visited the place. Sapna Noronha, a renowned artist from Mangaluru extended her support and guidance to the team.
The girls are open to doing more mural paintings to beautify the city.
Image Courtesy: Gloria Viegas and team.