Four student-artists have won the Tata Trusts Students’ Biennale International Award 2026 at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, marking a key moment for emerging contemporary art in India. Held in Fort Kochi under the theme ‘Sensing Grounds’, the sixth edition brought together over 200 young artists from more than 175 institutions.
The Tata Trusts Students’ Biennale International Award 2026 highlights new, research-led practices and gives students a strong platform to grow, experiment, and connect with global art networks through mentorship, exposure, and international opportunities.
Tata Trusts Students’ Biennale International Award 2026 Winners
The Tata Trusts Students’ Biennale International Award 2026 winners are Aswathy GS from Raja Ravi Varma College of Fine Arts, Kailash Khanjode from Government College of Art, Nagpur, Sachin Banne from Sir J. J. School of Art, and Sai Gitanjali Poluru from Shiv Nadar University. Their projects—ranging from Staged Narratives to Ginning Justice and Root System Analysis—reflect diverse and critical approaches to contemporary practice.
The award includes an international trip, allowing these young artists to engage with global exhibitions and expand their understanding of contemporary art.
About the Students’ Biennale 2026
The sixth edition of the Students’ Biennale, part of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, was curated by a team of seven curators under the theme ‘Sensing Grounds’. It featured 70 projects across six venues in Fort Kochi.
This year’s edition showed a clear shift in student work. Many artists moved beyond traditional painting and sculpture towards conceptual, abstract, and politically engaged practices. Their works drew from personal experiences and wider social realities, making the exhibition both relevant and thought-provoking.
National Award and Emerging Talent
Alongside the international award, seven artists received the Tata Trusts Students’ Biennale National Award. These include Abhishek Kholapudi, Pratik Khurkutiya, M. Imran Ahmed, Reppandee Lepcha, Rohit Athavale, Urgain Zawa, and Durgesh Prajapati.
The National Award offers month-long residencies at leading art institutions in India. These residencies support experimentation and provide mentorship from established practitioners, helping young artists refine their work.
Curatorial Vision and Jury Insights
The winners of the Tata Trusts Students’ Biennale International Award 2026 were selected by a jury including Umah Jacob, Shaleen Wadhwana, Rajyashri Goody, and Osheen Siva.
Mario D’Souza of the Kochi Biennale Foundation said the exhibition aimed to explore “fragile, shifting, and often contested sites” where social and material realities meet. He noted that the projects encouraged new ways of thinking and showed how art can shape future possibilities.
Siddhartha Sharma, CEO of Tata Trusts, emphasised the importance of supporting young artists. He stated that such initiatives help build a strong cultural ecosystem and empower new voices in contemporary art.
Exhibition Impact and Legacy
Since its start, the Students’ Biennale has supported over 1,000 young artists. Many have gone on to gain recognition through exhibitions, residencies, and international platforms.
The Tata Trusts Students’ Biennale International Award 2026 continues this legacy by creating pathways for students to enter professional art spaces. It stands as an important bridge between art education and real-world practice.
Exhibition Details
- Exhibition: Students’ Biennale 2026 (Kochi-Muziris Biennale)
- Award: Tata Trusts Students’ Biennale International Award 2026
- Location: Fort Kochi, Kerala
- Theme: Sensing Grounds
- Participants: 200+ student-artists from 175+ institutions
- Projects: 70 across six venues
- Organisers: Kochi Biennale Foundation with Tata Trusts’ support
- Website: Kochi-Muziris Biennale official website
This article has been created from the press kit shared with Abir Pothi. For press releases and related queries, write to editor@abirpothi.com.
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