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Weaving Speculative Realities with liactuallee

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For Mumbai-based artist liactuallee, each stitch is a step towards speculative futures and ecological storytelling. Explore their world of craft, queerness, and hope in this exclusive feature and film.

Contemporary visual artist liactuallee—one of India Art Fair’s Artists in Residence—embodies the transformative power of craft. Based in Mumbai, their practice bridges ecological fiction, craft traditions, and queer identities, creating intricate works that inspire reflection on both the personal and planetary. Their creations weave speculative futures and connect viewers to overlooked ecologies, like mycelium networks and coral reefs. “My work embraces fluidity, creating speculative pathways towards positive futures,” liactuallee shares. At the heart of their art is a dedication to repetition—stitch by stitch—as a meditative, storytelling practice.

“Through repetitive gestures—whether a loop, stitch, or mark—I construct environments that evolve through re-articulation”

For liactuallee, Mumbai’s bustling energy offers both inspiration and balance. “Finding stillness in the active chaos of Mumbai is what I find most inspiring,” they say. Days begin with coffee, a book, and often a movement practice—whether stretching, dancing, or even doing chores—before transitioning to the studio. Their process is fluid, oscillating between meticulous planning and intuitive creation. “Studio time is what the whole day leads up to, clearing out the space and time to enter my world and create from it,” they reflect. Experimentation is central, whether prototyping new forms or expanding material vocabularies. A key breakthrough came at Hampi Art Labs with works like Fasola and Snake Oil & Bubblegum, which pushed their creative boundaries. “More often than not, experiments don’t go as planned, but there’s always discovery in trying new methodologies, which makes breakthroughs more possible.”

liactuallee’s artistic vision is deeply rooted in ecological fiction and activism, crafting environments that invite viewers to imagine alternative realities. “Through repetitive gestures—whether a loop, stitch, or mark—I construct environments that evolve through re-articulation,” they explain. Their works are anchored in hope and utopian visions, honouring natural resources and human labour while exploring themes of craft, queerness, and ecology. One of their prominent works, Depresh Blanket (to all the lonely boys), critiques societal norms around masculinity, while Porosity is a meditation on sensory overstimulation and self-isolation. The latter visualises the fragility of human boundaries, merging sensitivity with resilience. Key influences range from Octavia E. Butler’s speculative fiction to the repetitive, meditative forms of Yayoi Kusama and Louise Bourgeois.

liactuallee’s material choices reflect their ecological concerns. Their upcoming project, which will be showcased at India Art Fair Delhi 2025, exemplifies this ethos: an outdoor installation crocheted from recycled plastic ropes and nylon threads. Suspended like clouds, this piece is designed to offer moments of respite for fairgoers while addressing pressing environmental issues. “It’s a meditation on cycles of water, the breathability of air, and petroleum in all its forms,” they note. Through this, they hope to foster accountability and contemplation about humanity’s environmental impact.

From the art galleries of South Bombay to grassroots spaces in Bandra and Versova, Mumbai’s art scene is a vital source of inspiration for liactuallee. “The tucked-away galleries interspersed with colonial architecture make for a unique artistic pilgrimage,” they share, appreciating both the established and underground art spaces of the city. Beyond their local context, liactuallee’s work resonates with global movements in contemporary art. Their practice aligns with broader discussions on sustainability, inclusivity, and the transformative potential of craft in reimagining futures.

liactuallee’s art is a call to action and a celebration of possibilities. By interweaving ecological concerns, personal narratives, and the transformative power of fibre art, they create works that challenge perceptions and invite introspection. Their installation work for India Art Fair Delhi 2025 promises to be both a visual and conceptual highlight, reminding us of the delicate balance between humanity and its environment.

liactuallee was born in 1995 and lives and works in Mumbai. Their work will be shown at India Art Fair Delhi 2025 as part of its Artists in Residence programme.