Who’s Telling the Stories
Lectures for various editions of the Sunaparanta Art Initiator Lab (SAIL), a 10-month mentorship programme that is practice-based and open to creative professionals based in Goa, India.
Over the last 3 editions these sessions explored the historical and contemporary experiences of diverse Indigenous and native communities, examining how their stories, traditions, and identities had evolved over time. It considered questions surrounding the ownership and interpretation of history—who had the authority to tell these stories, and how narratives had been shaped or silenced through colonial and institutional frameworks.
The presentation also highlighted the methods and ethical considerations that artists and researchers had employed when gathering source material, emphasizing collaboration, respect, and authenticity.
The session underscored the vital importance of preserving and amplifying the voices and narratives of less dominant or historically marginalized groups, ensuring that their cultural legacies continued to inform and enrich collective understanding.
Launched in 2021, the Sunaparanta Art Initiator Lab (SAIL) is a 10-month mentorship programme that is practice-based and open to creative professionals from various streams including visual artists, designers, architects, educators, film-makers, photographers, performance artists from theatre and dance. The programme offers them the opportunity to refine their practices through innovative learning (and un-learning) methodologies and is directed towards building a more vibrant and collaborative community by enabling mentees to connect with diverse practical and theoretical resources within the local (and national) context, equipping them with the tools necessary to enter and thrive in a constantly changing cultural ecosystem. This programme is designed and led by art historian & curator Lina Vincent.