I’m Madhavan Pillai, and as a strong believer in Gandhian philosophy, I have an interdisciplinary practice as a photographer, artist, environmental campaigner, writer, and curator. I’m deeply committed to using my creative work and activism to address important issues and spark positive change, drawing inspiration from Gandhi’s ideas of nonviolence, social justice, and cultural preservation.
As the founder and executive director of Arkent Images, I’ve made it my mission to research and preserve the rich history of photography in the region. I’m also proud to have co-founded the Goa Center for Alternative Photography, a state-of-the-art research and art space dedicated exclusively to alternative photography in India.
As a curator and organizer of events and exhibitions, I’ve been fortunate to work on a number of exciting projects, including “Wanted Series – Photography,” a monthly discussion series that travels to different cities in India; “Historical Photo Restoration Week,” an annual photography conservation awareness festival in India; and “Focus Photography Festival,” Mumbai for the 2015 edition and the jury for the 2017 edition. I’ve also had the opportunity to create and curate Gallery OneTwo, an abandoned toilet in Ooty that has been repurposed into an art space.
Over the years, I’ve received a number of prestigious fellowships, including a media fellowship from the Center for Science and Environment, a photojournalist fellowship from the National Foundation for India, an extending arts practice research grant from the Indian Foundation for the Arts, and the ARThinkSouthAsia Fellowship in Arts Management, among others. I’m proud to have been recognized for my contributions to the fields of photography and arts management.