Being an ardent reader, Mansha Chattwal’s (b. 1974) current works are focused on the subject of book burning as a way of looking at our past and recent history. Her work engages with issues of censorship, power, identity, memory and loss through stories of books, writers and libraries. With her research based practice, Mansha understands the various perspectives of storytelling that explores different angles, forms and concepts. Materials are employed to add a tactile layer that either add to the idea or stand at odds to it. She likes her work to be immersive, and encourages viewers to read beyond its visual qualities, identifying the books that have become the source of her inspiration. 

Mansha’s thoughtful practice has evolved after almost two decades as an advertising professional. As opposed to being limited by an advertising ‘Brief’ she wants her work to be exploratory, lucid and experimental. She likes working with different materials and developing new skill-sets, resulting in a multi-dimensional approach to her practice, including drawings, sculptures, artist books and installations. Her recent group exhibitions include ‘Out of your shadow’ by Blueprint12 at Gallery Espace, 2019; ‘The Reading Room’ at the Winchester Gallery, UK, 2015 and Saffron Art Gallery, New York, 2016; ‘Bartered Collections’ by Cona Projects at Mumbai Art Room, 2015; ‘Open Studio - Sarai Reader 09’ at Devi Art Foundation, 2013 and The Sketchbook Project Brooklyn Art Library, 2011. Her first solo show, Symptomatic (mis)Readings, was held in March 2022 at Blueprint12.
Mansha is based in Mumbai, India.