in conversation with ashwin chacko

What question do you keep coming back to in your arts practice?

“I’ve always been interested in uncovering the truth behind the social interactions that drive culture. As an artist, I ask myself how can I bring a positive change to the culture I live in through my art.”

What discipline, other than your own, do you draw most from?

“I think poetry has a large impact on my practice. Words are powerful, they can either bring someone up or make them feel small. Harnessing the words to reveal truth with a visual piece to point to it has always been an integral part of my work”

How does your arts practice allow you to respond creatively to conflict/crisis around you?

“The heart of all my work is always driven by storytelling. As a storyteller, I’m looking to bring hope or point to the truth. How we perceive the world dictates our behavior, so if we as artists can unveil a fresh perspective that creates a heart shift we can make a huge impact in our community, culture and eventually the world.”

What do you enjoy most about the process of creating new work and what recurring challenges do you encounter?

“I love the feeling of being in the flow allowing myself to be in the moment, my full attention is on what I am doing and the world is a nebulous white noise in the background. My challenge is what story to tell and how best to tell it.”

How do you feel the arts ecosystem can/should evolve in the city?

“Each culture is shaped by the arts. If you look at the past, every civilization is best known for the art in its time. This is no different in our age, it is our responsibility as artist to nurture the soul, reveal beauty and unveil the truth. If we can do these things we will see a positive shift in the culture we live in.”