In this breezy corner of Kochi, student artists carve out a niche

Kochi: At first glance, they appear as ordinary silhouettes cast against translucent sheets. But as light shifts, figures drawn in glue begin to narrate a familiar story — one of routine, resilience and quiet endurance. The installation by Honey Thomas, a postgraduate student at RLV College of Music and Fine Arts, Tripunithura, is displayed at the historic BMS Warehouse in Mattancherry.Drawing from everyday domestic rhythms, Thomas centres her work on the often-unseen labour of mothers. "My work draws from the repetitive cadence of domestic life, focusing on my mother whose presence dissolves into the background of daily chores," she says. When viewers shine the torches placed beside the installation, life-sized shadow figures sketched on layered transparent sheets come alive — overlapping and repeating gestures of cooking, cleaning and waiting.Students' Biennale, which is a key educational initiative of Kochi Biennale Foundation, runs alongside the sixth edition of Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB). Spread across five venues — VKL Warehouse, Arthshila Kochi, BMS Warehouse, St Andrew's Parish Hall and Space Gallery — it features works by student artists from institutions across India.From intimate portrayals of domestic life to explorations of queer identity and marginalised communities, Students' Biennale carved a distinct space within the larger art festival.West Bengal-based artist Shakibul Islam presents Seeking Intimacies, a deeply personal reflection on queer life. A master's student at Mumbai's Sir JJ School of Art, Architecture and Design, Islam references Indian Constitution and 2018 Supreme Court verdict that decriminalised homosexuality, while pointing to the continued absence of marriage and adoption rights. Through images of alternative families, waiting grooms and digital encounters, he depicts intimacy shaped by hope and uncertainty.Salman Khursheed Lone, from the Institute of Music & Fine Arts, University of Kashmir, draws inspiration from everyday life in Kashmir. His work features a Kashmiri fish rooted in local myth of Naag Gaade, believed to protect sacred waterbodies. The fish becomes a metaphor for harmony, resilience and survival amid changing socio-political realities.Visitors responded enthusiastically. Abhinand K, a research scholar from Kannur, said the students' works bring "the raw world into contemporary art", resonating strongly with audiences.Bringing together participants from 150 state-funded art institutions, this edition foregrounds experimentation, interdisciplinary practices and socially engaged art. Seven artists from across the country curated works representing diverse regions and perspectives.KMB co-founder Bose Krishnamachari noted the steady growth of the initiative. "When I was a student, I never had the opportunity to witness international art practice. We initiated Students' Biennale in 2014, and now we are at our sixth edition," he said.Director of programmes at biennale Mario D'Souza said the platform enables several participants to progress to the main biennale and gain international exposure. "Biennale encourages students to think beyond conventional gallery system and form alternative artistic collectives," he said.