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.

She recently had her first solo exhibition, Symptomatic (mis)readings at Blueprint12 (2022), participated in Delhi Contemporary Art Week 2022, Art Mumbai 2023 and India Art Fair 2023-24. Some of her group exhibitions include 'Yours in Truth' by Space 118, Mumbai, 2022; ‘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. 

Mansha is based in Mumbai, India.