Ehsan Fazili/ Srinagar

Kashmir Valley, which has been home to many famous artists, would soon have a printmaking studio and art residency to provide a dedicated space for artistic collaboration and a learning center.

The initiative is the brainchild of Nasreen Mohsin, a printmaker with a Master of Fine Arts degree from the prestigious M.S. University of Baroda, and her husband, Faiyaz Dilbar, well-known writer and filmmaker and a group of artists, writers, poets, and art lovers, who have joined hands to constitute the Kashmir Art and Artists Foundation (KAAF).

The KAAF intends to “promote fine art and related creative subjects in Jammu and Kashmir, with a special focus on Kashmir.” The move was taken at a meeting of the concerned people here recently, considering that Kashmir lacked qualified printmakers and the requisite facilities.

In the absence of such a facility in Jammu and Kashmir, the artists have been availing these facilities in Delhi and Chandigarh for making copies of their works of art.

The proposed printmaking and art residency facility is located in the foothills of Harwan, Srinagar overlooking the Dal Lake.

The KAAF plans to give the artists “studio facilities, technical know-how and logistic facilities in a congenial atmosphere under serene natural surroundings," Faiyaz Dilbar told Awaz The Voice.

A painting of Nasreen Mohsin

“Printmaking for me is a creative process that allows me to explore texture, pattern, and design as my subject matter, and expression through the transfer of ink onto surfaces. It’s a way to experiment with different techniques, such as etching, lino cutting, woodcut, and lithography, to create unique and often unexpected results”, Nasreen Mohsin told Awaz The Voice.

About her proposed project of a printmaking studio in Srinagar, Nasreen said that it was “important to me because I want to promote printmaking amongst the younger generation in the region”.

She pointed out that “despite its rich artistic heritage, Kashmir lacks a dedicated space for printmaking, and I see this as an opportunity to fill that gap.”

Elaborating on setting up the printmaking studio in Srinagar, Nasreen Mohsin said it would “provide aspiring artists with access to equipment, mentorship, and a creative environment to explore traditional and contemporary techniques”. It would also help preserve and expand artistic traditions while fostering a community of printmakers who can share their work locally and globally”, she added.

Nasreen Mohsin comes from a family of artists in Srinagar. She received her Master's degree in printmaking from M S University, Baroda (now Vadodara) in Gujarat, one of the few universities in India providing courses in this field.

She has also worked with professional printmakers during a two-year national scholarship programme provided by the Ministry of Human Resources, Government of India.   

Nasreen Mohsin comes from a family of artists. He also received the professional printmakers during a two-year national scholarship programme provided by the Ministry of Human Resources, Government of India.   

Work of Nasreen Mohsin

The professional artists, seeking the facilities, would be enrolled after seeking admissions to undertake their artistic work in a professional manner under natural surroundings, said Faiyaz Dilbar. “We will give them studio facilities, technical know-how, logistialc facilities”, he said.

Nasreen says that even the basic requisites like the ink and metallic plates, which are not available in Kashmir, would also be made available to the artists enrolled. Commenting on the art residency, Faiyaz Dilbar said that under this European concept, artists or writers can enroll to avail the facilities, would be able to produce works of art, and also write a book with utmost concentration in a congenial atmosphere. “This would help in a sort of cultural tourism in the region”, Faiyaz Dilbar commented.

“We believe that the studio will provide a platform for both emerging and established artists, offering workshops in printmaking and painting. National and international artists will be invited to conduct sessions, giving local students exposure to various techniques”, Fayaz commented. The art residency would serve as a retreat for artists, writers, and other creative professionals. Set against Kashmir’s natural landscape, it is designed to offer a space for artistic development and experimentation.

India has a rich tradition of printmaking. The modern printmaking movement in India began in the early 20th century with artists like Nandalal Bose and later developed through institutions like Kala Bhavana, Santiniketan, and MS University, Baroda. Today, printmaking in India continues to evolve, with artists experimenting with both traditional and digital methods.

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Printmaking is a very in-thing in India with artists exploring new methods and creating marvels. In this backdrop, the opening of a printmaking studio and art residency in Srinagar is, like, a dream coming true for the artists and art lovers of Kashmir.