Lakshmi Nivas Collective was established in 2018 by Sunoj D, a visual artist, and Namrata Neog, whose background spans history, archaeology, and anthropology. Rooted in seasonal animal grazing and fodder foraging in the predominantly agrarian landscape of Parudur in Palakkad, Kerala, the Collective’s research and practice probe human–nonhuman entanglements and the complexities of human agency across time and terrain. Their practice includes productions in sculpture, video, text, installation, and hosting gatherings with animal herders, land workers, artists, neighbours, and farmers in Parudur. Their solo presentations include Sentient Beings at Durbar Hall, Kochi, Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, India (2024) and Desert is a forest at Artist Garden, Jameel Arts Centre, Dubai (2020–23). They have participated in group exhibitions such as For the time being, Kochi-Muziris Biennale, curated by Nikhil Chopra and HH Art Spaces (2025–26), Being Alive, curated by Satyajit Dave, Iram Art Gallery, Ahmedabad (2024), Seeds that Move, curated by Borbála Soós, Sópa Gallery, Slovakia (2021), Scrambled eggs for breakfast, Asian Art Biennale, Dhaka (2021), and New Adventures in Vexillology #6, curated by Thomas and Renee Rapedius, Art Association Amrum, Nebel Beach, Germany (2019). Their grants and projects include Landscape Lexicon, an artist project for ArtReview Asia Autumn Issue (2025), LAND Art Conclave with LAND and Devi Art Foundation, Delhi, India (2024), Generator Art Fund, Experimenter Gallery, India (2023), and Shifting Earth Symposium, Jameel Arts Centre, Dubai (2022), with press coverage in ArtReview Asia (Autumn Issue, September 2024).
Sunoj D (b.1979) completed his graduation in painting and postgraduation in printmaking from Bangalore University, India. His solo exhibitions include Today—Yesterday’s Future Tense, Zilberman Gallery, Istanbul (2018), Romanticized Objects From Drunken Nights, Exhibit 320, New Delhi (2016), Occasional Thoughts on Time, Opekta Ateliers, Köln, Germany (2015), Estuary, Gallery SKE, New Delhi (2014), A Forgotten Carpentry Lesson and a Love Song, Gallery SKE, Bangalore (2013), Between Land and Sky, Grosvenor Gallery, London (2009), Sunoj D – not dead since 1979, Gallery SKE, Bangalore (2005), and Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy Gallery, Cochin (2002). His selected group exhibitions include Kindling, curated by Rachel Dedman, Fotopub, Slovenia (2017), The Wedding Project, Art Dubai Projects and Delfina Foundation, Dubai (2016), Nakivubo Food Forest Project, in collaboration with Mirembe Musisi and Brian Mugagga, Kampala, Uganda (2015), Occasional Thoughts on Time, Opekta Ateliers, Köln, Germany (2015), Whorled Explorations, curated by Jitish Kallat, Kochi-Muziris Biennale, Kochi (2014), Stone, Wood, Paradise, Syndrome, curated by Maja Ciric, 1933 Contemporary Gallery, Shanghai, China (2014), Art Dubai Projects, curated by Fawz Kabra, Dubai (2014), ARTCHIVING; The Artist’s Perspective, curated by Ranjita Chaney Menezes, Exhibit 320, New Delhi (2013), Spell of Spill Utopia of Ecology, curated by Veerangana Kumari Solanki, Palette Art Gallery, New Delhi (2013), Bangalore Gardens Reloaded, curated by Elke Falat at Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Bangalore (2013), and When you watch them grow…, National Museum of Natural History in partnership with Creative India Foundation, New Delhi (2012). His residencies include A.i.R. Vent des forêts, Fresnes-au-Mont, France (2017), 32° East Ugandan Art Trust, Kampala, Uganda (2015), Opekta, Cologne, Germany (2015), Art Dubai with Delfina Foundation (2014), Gasworks, London (2012), Natural History Museum, London (2012), Sølyst Artist in Residence Center, Denmark (2009), and Shatana International Artist’s Workshop organized by Triangle Arts Trust, Jordan (2007).
Namrata Neog (b.1989) holds a BA in History from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University, India, and an MA in Archaeology and Anthropology from Cardiff University, UK. She worked as an archaeologist at the London Archaeological Archive and Research Centre, Museum of London (MOLA) (2013–14), and has held positions including Research Associate at the National Culture Fund and National Museum, New Delhi (2011–12). Her awards and publications include the South Central Culture Zone Grant Award, Ministry of Culture, India (2016–17), the Cyril Fox Award, UK (2012), and contributions to See-Saw-Scene (co-ed., Ministry of Culture, India, 2017), Speak Up! Social Awakening in India (2013, Germany), and Himalayan Bridge (2015, India).