Thinker

I enjoy the stimulation that comes from crystallizing ideas and giving talks and the conversations they usually engender. The intersections between art and spirituality, aesthetics and Buddhism, and beauty with art and everyday living have largely been the terrain I traverse in these engagements.

Over the years, I have worked to bring a greater focus to the arts in education, believing they are critical for human development. The use of hands in the making of art can play a significant role in brain development. Besides, art is another way of knowing – perception and cognition, and societies that are rich in the arts, expressive and utilitarian, will be better, more beautiful places for everyone. I was asked by UNESCO in 2005 to formulate the ‘Asian Vision of Arts in Education: Learning through the Arts’.

My teaching engagements have been varied. I have done a number of workshops with children of different ages based on traditional Indian art practices. I have worked with state agencies to shape their arts curricula, and have occasionally given talks to college students. When asked, I have also dipped into my management experience to help in the running of arts organisations.

Public Talks and Seminars

• Mystics & Scientists Conference: The Nature of Inspiration in Art, Science and Spirituality

  Inspiration in Art: Unfolding, Connecting, Forming

  2013, University of Warwick, Warwick, England

• Symposium on Biology and Beyond

  Art & Science

  2012, CCMB, Hyderabad

• International Seminar on The End of Art and the Promise of Beauty

  The Hollowing of Art and the Call of Beauty

  2012, New Delhi

• Edinburgh International Festival

  Heirlooms Panel

  2011, Edinburgh, Scotland

• Ramsay Garden Seminars

  View from India – Rebalancing Economic Policy as if Aesthetics Mattered

  2011, Edinburgh, Scotland

• Cortona India

  Beauty – A Fundamental Organizing System in a Relational World

  2010, Hyderabad

• Glasgow Centre for Population Health

  Nested Relationships: Beauty, Aesthetics, Art and Happiness (BAAH!)

  2009, Glasgow, Scotland

• The Attic Sacred Arts Festival

  Insight Forms: Creating a Contemporary Spiritual Art Language

  2009, New Delhi

• Mystics & Scientists

  Beauty – A Master Key for Sustainable Relationships

  2009, London

• Mystics & Scientists Conference: The Science of Well-Being and the Experience of Bliss

  Bliss and Beauty - An Indian Vision

  2009, University College, Winchester

• Sharpham House

  Buddhist Aesthetics and Contemporary Dharma Art

  2008, Devon

• INTACH Seminar

  Chairperson - Best Practices in Intangible Heritage Education

  2008, New Delhi

• The Attic

  Buddhist Aesthetics and the Spiritual in Contemporary Art Practice

  2008, New Delhi

• Jamia Millia Islamia

  Seminar on 'Visualizing the Sacred: Fine Arts and the World Religious Traditions'; Valedictory Address: The Spiritual in Art: A personal exploration

  2007, New Delhi

• International Indology Conference

  Indian Aesthetics in Everyday Life

  2006, Goa

• The National Museum Institute

  Seminar on Cult of the Goddess Past & Present in Indian Art - The Goddess Steps out of the Iconographic Frame

  2005, New Delhi

• Korean Arts and Culture Education Service & Korean Association of Arts Education: International Arts Education Symposium

  Creative Partnership: Theory and Practice in the Field of Arts Education

  2005, Seoul

• India International Centre

  Symposium on Learning through the Arts in Asia

  2005, New Delhi

• Indian Institute of Advanced Studies

  Identity, Influences and Initiatives in Contemporary Asian Art and Aesthetics

  2004, Shimla

• Natya Kala Conference

  Suggestion in Art

  2003, Chennai

• Brown University

  Spirituality in Landscape

  1989, Providence, RI

Lectures and School Workshops

• Navdanya-Bija

  Beauty and Ecology

  2010, Dehradun

• Art from Indian Hands Workshops for Schools

  2000-2007, Rajghat Krishnamurti School, Varanasi; Akanksha, Mumbai; Woodstock School (with Harvard University Art in School Program), Mussoorie; Navdanya-Bija, Dehradun; Bluebells International School, New Delhi; Sriram Junior School, New Delhi; Sriram Senior School, Gurgaon; Mayo Girls, Ajmer; Pathways School, Dubai

• Plymouth State University

  Multiculturism and the Arts

  2000, Plymouth, NH

• Arts in Education Program, NH State Council on the Art

  Roster Artist

  1999-2001, Concord, NH

• New Hampshire Allstate Art Festival

  Faculty Artist

  1999-2000, Currier Gallery, Manchester, NH

• Arts in Education Conference, NH State Council on the Art

  1999, Concord, NH

• Holderness School

  Faculty on 'Artward Bound' Program

  1998, Holderness, NH

• New England College

  Buddhism 101

  1990, Henniker, NH

• Rivier College

  Guest Lecturer

  1990-94, Nashua, NH

Outreach

• NCERT Committee of Arts Education Curriculum

  2006, New Delhi

• The India Foundation for the Arts (IFA)

  Consultant

  2006, Bangalore

• Art Camp

  2004, Mayo College, Ajmer

• The Arts India Artists' Camp

  1997, Mumbai

• New England Sculptors Association

  Juried Member

  1990-1991, Boston, MA

• Integral Institute, Integral Art Branch

  Founding Member

  1990, Boulder, CO

• New Hampshire Art Association

  Director

  1989-91, NH