Over 70 transpeople to showcase artwork at British Council

For two years now, transgender activist, artist, entrepreneur, actor and writer Kalki Subramaniam has been training over 200 transgenders to express themselves by creating art, then to go on to create art that sells, and to later, market and sell their creations. “The Trans/hearts project is coming together really well. Our first display will revolve around the theme ‘self and creative expression’ — to express oneself and one’s talent,” said Kalki.

Every two months, the community of transgenders glued together by Kalki, comes together in different nature-centric locations (the next one is scheduled to happen at Kotagiri Tea Estate on 19,20 March) to participate in art workshops and cultivate their talent. “Transgenders wield an immense creative power. They have excelled in Bharatanatyam, folk dance, crafts, and art, but they lack the opportunity to choose arts as their career path. I want to change this, and Trans/hearts is a first step in this process,” 

said Kalki.

She has showcased artworks and read poetry in USA, Canada and Germany herself, and aims to empower other talented transgender artists with the same exposure. “I know beggars and sex workers whose lives changed when they took up art. It’s almost like therapy, they don’t think of their past or future, they simply focus on their paints and canvases and go on creating for hours together,” she said. Speaking of the sordid demand for art in India, she said many artworks by her trainees have been purchased with great interest by art lovers in Canada.

“I want Trans/hearts to be a breakthrough project - ten years down the lane, every member should become entrepreneurs themselves, travel the world and hold their own art workshops by training more members of the transgender community,” said 

the activist.