Beneath The Surface

Textile Based Installation

Stories with | Roanna Silviera, Imcharenla Aier, Manisha Halai
Artist-Designer | Aabha Bokare

Concept Note

Humans wield the power to both destroy and protect nature—while nature, in turn, adapts, survives, and sometimes retaliates. This intricate dance reveals a messy, interconnected web of life, where nothing is purely good or evil, and every action sends ripples across ecosystems.

Drawing from firsthand accounts from the Atlas of Living Hope, this embroidered series explores the contradictions of environmental change—where loss meets resilience, despair intertwines with hope, and exploitation clashes with preservation. These contrasting experiences highlight the necessity of viewing environmental issues from multiple perspectives rather than through a singular, fixed narrative.

The project encourages viewers to navigate the gray areas within each account, recognizing that human impact on nature is rarely a matter of clear-cut cause and effect. By moving beyond binary classifications of "good" and "bad," it invites a recognition of the interconnectedness of all actions and their consequences. By embracing these complexities, the work envisions a future where human intervention is shaped not by domination but by awareness, responsibility, and a commitment to coexistence. Beneath the Surface challenges audiences to confront the contradictions within themselves—and to find hope amid the chaos.

About

Aabha Bokare

Aabha is a visual artist with a deep love for hands-on creative exploration. She loves engaging with diverse materials and mediums, constantly seeking new ways to express ideas through tactile, visual artworks. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Design with a focus on Creative Education from the Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology. In addition to her academic background, she is a trained ceramic artist and potter. Working with clay has not only deepened her appreciation for the physicality of making but has also taught her the value of patience and process in art. Whether shaping forms on the wheel or experimenting with surface textures, she finds great joy in translating her thoughts and ideas into tangible, three-dimensional expressions.

Visual storytelling is also something she really enjoys. She likes finding innovative ways to communicate information, narratives, and emotions through imagery, design, and form. She is currently exploring the world of art and design education, experimenting with different teaching methodologies that make creativity more engaging and meaningful to learners of all ages.

She is always seeking opportunities to learn new art forms, collaborate with fellow creatives, and evolve her approach to both making and teaching. She looks forward to discovering where her artistic journey will take her next.

Roanna Silveira

Roanna Silveira is actively involved in marine conservation through her work at Coastal Impact, a Goa-based NGO dedicated to protecting marine ecosystems. Her commitment to environmental sustainability is reflected in her efforts to raise awareness and drive community engagement around ocean preservation.

Imcharenla Aier

Imcharenla Aier serves as a Sustainability Educator with Wipro Earthian at the Centre for Environment and Community Sustainability (CECS) in Nagaland. She is deeply invested in fostering environmental consciousness through education, empowering young minds to engage with sustainability in meaningful ways.

Manisha Halai

Manisha Halai is part of the team at GreenHub Films, an initiative that uses visual storytelling to advocate for ecological conservation and sustainable practices. Her work supports youth engagement and environmental awareness through impactful film-based narratives.

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Stories That Grow

Beneath The Surface

Stories with | Roanna Silviera, Imcharenla Aier, Manisha Halai Artist-Designer | Aabha Bokare

Stories with | Roanna Silviera, Imcharenla Aier, Manisha Halai
Artist-Designer | Aabha Bokare