Outside In

Outside In brings together, for the very first time, the artistic worlds of sculptor Meera Mukherjee and Jaidev Baghel, the renowned Ghadwa metal caster from Bastar. Both artists transformed the practice of metal casting Mukherjee through her modernist sensibilities and community-based engagement, and Baghel by redefining his inherited tradition to carve out his identity as an artist.

This richly illustrated publication, designed by Valentina Abenavoli with photographs by Philippe Calia and Jaisingh Nageswaran, unfolds as a visual narrative and critical commentary on their journeys. From the intimacy of the casting workshops to the resonance of museum displays, it traces how their practices challenged the definitions of artist and artisan, creating new possibilities for the medium.

Featuring rare archival material, including a textile by Meera Mukherjee displayed publicly for the first time, the book provides a layered perspective on collaboration, influence, and the evolution of craft traditions in India.

A companion to the exhibition and short film, Outside In offers readers not just documentation but also insight into the shared spirit of experimentation, resilience, and creativity that defined both Mukherjee’s and Baghel’s work.