---
title: "Art Workshops by Girija – Feminist Art & Mural Painting for Social Change - mytribe"
description: "Discover Art Workshops by Girija. Explore feminist art, mural painting, and illustration services for NGOs. Transform your space and spark dialogue through customized, powerful art."
canonical: https://mytribe.in/2flatbrush
last_updated: 2024-06-12
---

# Girija

I am a feminist artist creating political murals, illustrations, and portraits. My work is a form of activism, designed to start difficult conversations about gender, abuse, and social justice.

## Services

### [Art Workshops](https://mytribe.in/2flatbrush/art-workshops)

Available online and in-person across Mumbai & India

Typically ₹8-25K per session (estimate)

- ![This is what community looks like. In my workshops, we become the art. Here, participants of the Haan Hum collective form a human rangoli, a living circle of celebration and solidarity. This is not about perfect lines; it is about connection.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/77b1cb32-6cce-468b-90a6-fd76407b0666)
- [Video: Listen to these voices. This is why I do what I do. Women from the Haan Hum collective share their truths, reminding us that art is a powerful way to claim space and demand that sex worker rights are recognized as human rights.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/054ce36a-e42b-43ba-863f-8acda8b0f978)
- [Video: We take art to the streets. This video shows a collaborative mural project where we turned a simple pavement into a game of hopscotch filled with affirmations like "I am brave" and "I am important." It’s about making art accessible and joyful for everyone.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/dd481e84-a96e-44a2-9197-0447d30f0bca)
- [Video: This piece, "Sickle," is from my "Violent Women" series. It's a look at the rage and strength of women, particularly those in roles society overlooks, like farm laborers. My personal art is a direct reflection of my feminist beliefs and the fire that fuels my work.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ca4163ab-4044-4f6c-a5bf-a81e094b5f5b)
- [Video: This is the energy that starts a movement. This moment captures the raw joy and sisterhood as we launched India's first Art Residency for and by sex workers. It is in these circles of trust and celebration that real change begins.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2f8010f8-7479-44c0-a039-021740198675)
- ![Sometimes, the most profound stories are held in the smallest of things. A participant holds up a figure she created during a clay workshop. This is a moment of pure creation, a tangible piece of a personal journey made visible through art.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ed8eba6b-d377-4220-ae02-354e8dde51e6)
- [Video: We use our bodies to tell stories. This clip shows a Theatre of the Oppressed exercise, a core part of my workshops. We enact real-life conflicts to understand them, challenge them, and find paths to liberation together. It can be uncomfortable, but it is always powerful.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bceec8d3-db62-4f47-b4e5-f4ef4a5bf203)

### [Custom Art & Paintings](https://mytribe.in/2flatbrush/custom-art-paintings)

Custom commissions delivered across India

Typically ₹8-30K per custom painting (2x3 feet, acrylic on canvas) (estimate)

- ![This is "The Thinai Project," a series of four large scale paintings on silk that I created for a client's living room. It reinterprets ancient Tamil literature from a modern, feminist perspective, with each panel designed to catch the sun's light at a different time of day. This is the kind of immersive, conceptual art we can bring to your space.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ef5b400a-dc45-4c7e-b191-3cdca3b0aafe)
- [Video: A memorial portrait is more than a painting; it's an act of remembrance. This video shows the process of creating a portrait of a client's beloved father from a small, grainy passport photo. My focus is always on capturing the kindness and energy of the person, creating a family treasure that will last for generations.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/639a116a-c52c-492d-ab02-05dd5d5d33a2)
- ![A close up of "Sickle," the first piece from my "Violent Women" series. This acrylic on canvas work explores the power and rage of women, particularly those whose labor builds our world. The blue skin and bold colors are intentional choices to convey strength and challenge conventions.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9f5af10b-dd36-437a-af51-871983d039fb)
- ![I love working with families to turn a cherished memory into a timeless piece of art. This commissioned painting, "Beach Panorama," was created from a family's vacation photos. We worked together to capture the feeling of a perfect day, from the light on the water to the joy in their steps.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fb5c0e34-9f80-44a0-98e3-23b15fc4dc91)
- ![The materials I use are part of the story. This piece, "Mending," is painted with acrylics on a repurposed jute bag. For me, the act of mending the rough, humble fabric is a metaphor for mending our world with compassion. It’s about finding beauty and meaning in unexpected places.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/19106d05-e6cd-4fe0-ad6e-db5d601e736d)
- ![This painting of Krishna, titled "Turn Around," is part of my ongoing exploration of spiritual ideas. Created on reclaimed wood, it's less about religion and more about the philosophy of mindfulness and finding joy in the present moment. The piece uses the contrast of copper and blue to evoke a feeling of quiet contemplation.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/91c8cb75-8151-444c-a67c-2e9d7d510aea)
- [Video: Art happens everywhere. While sketching on a train, a person asked me for a quick 10 minute portrait of a lost friend. This video captures that moment of connection. It shows that for me, art is about stories and people, not just technical perfection.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a832e394-e5ab-47f1-953d-6afca32d5a8b)

### [Illustration Services](https://mytribe.in/2flatbrush/illustration-services)

Available globally as digital download

Typically ₹500-5,000 per digital illustration (estimate)

- ![This piece, "Sickle," is from my 'Violent Women' series. It's an acrylic painting that challenges perceptions of female rage and power, questioning who gets to be seen as strong and who is labeled as violent.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/04853bd9-8217-429d-8ad9-b7138da14e9f)
- ![A view of "The Thinai Project," a large-scale commission I created. This immersive installation features four paintings on silk, reinterpreting classical Tamil poetry through a modern, feminist lens.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9d406297-aa10-4a39-bef5-6d1da0b4dafd)
- ![The cover illustration for the 2025 Year Planner for Rainbow Homes Program. I'm grateful when my art can serve rooted organizations working on critical issues like child safety and protection.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/16fcc41e-db6c-448f-884d-7a61925d3dd8)
- ![A digital portrait of a vintage Indian woman, created on my iPad. I love exploring monochrome palettes to bring historical photographs to life, celebrating the strength and grace of our ancestors.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1cd0afe2-9338-49b5-a442-b45aa8cb6e31)
- ![A simple, direct digital illustration responding to the feeling that our democracy is in danger. Sometimes, the most straightforward lines carry the most urgent messages.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b3933c98-a582-44f5-bf1d-acdf319798cd)
- [Video: This is a digital animation I created by remixing one of my older paintings. It explores themes of the divine feminine, serenity, and inner cosmos, bringing a static image into a new, meditative life.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/21b8d152-a216-4a0c-ba24-ec6dc986548a)
- ![Inspired by recent archaeological findings, this digital piece imagines the confidence and spirit of an ancient Tamil woman. It's part of my exploration into visualizing our rich cultural history.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2fb07a0f-8744-4686-b030-e16de7c1364d)
- [Video: A timelapse showing my digital painting process for a realistic portrait. Using a paper-like screen protector on my iPad allows me to get that real-feel texture, even in a digital medium.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2ab2764d-45a7-48b2-a51b-67bc12e4c9ac)
- ![I was happy to have my artwork featured for a cover story in Outlook Magazine. It’s important that living artists are part of mainstream conversations, as it helps us continue to create and grow.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/70b94551-2a36-4111-9237-d91c6d9ca2c6)
- ![A self-portrait and my personal manifesto. This is a checklist for my art and life practice, a reminder to myself to stay fearless, connect deeply, and use my work to become hope.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/123db036-b7ef-412f-86e7-3b6e63e66085)

### [Large-Scale Murals](https://mytribe.in/2flatbrush/large-scale-murals)

Travels to client locations across India

Typically ₹250-1,200 per sq ft (estimate)

- ![This is the hero piece for my daughter's bedroom, a bold graffiti mural that reads "Kanmani Anbodu Jai Bhim" (With love, my precious, Victory to Bhim). It combines my love for Tamil script, vibrant spray paint art, and our family's belief in Dr. Ambedkar's ideals. This is how I transform a personal space into a powerful statement wall.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/81e3683d-0213-475f-9b7d-944fc311d710)
- ![An immersive view of "The Thinai Project," a four-wall installation in a private residence. Each wall is a massive painting on silk, inspired by ancient Tamil landscapes and reinterpreted through a feminist lens. This photo, looking up towards the skylight, shows how the art interacts with natural light to create a living, breathing environment.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ef5b400a-dc45-4c7e-b191-3cdca3b0aafe)
- ![A wide view of a traditional kolam mural I painted in a client's living room. The design, reminiscent of patterns drawn on a grandmother's floor, brings a sense of heritage and celebration into a modern home. The scattered marigold flowers add a feeling of warmth and festivity to the space.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/303535c4-3d42-42ef-9ce6-77122031b5c0)
- [Video: This video captures the playful energy of a community project at Cubbytales daycare. We created an interactive hopscotch floor mural with positive affirmations like "I am brave" and "I am important." It shows how my work can make public spaces engaging and joyful for children.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/dd481e84-a96e-44a2-9197-0447d30f0bca)
- [Video: A full view of the "Bougainvillea" tree mural I painted for the Cubbytales daycare. This piece transforms a two-story brick-textured wall into a vibrant, blossoming tree, bringing the beauty of nature indoors and creating a welcoming atmosphere for a commercial space.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cab189e5-2bbf-44cb-9b33-af072e56e6ea)
- [Video: This video shows a collaborative mural project with the students of Changchup Choeling Nunnery in Zanskar. The young nuns designed and painted this mural about nature conservation, even sourcing and creating their own pigments from local earth. It’s a powerful example of art for social change and community empowerment.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/dd831355-af7a-4a57-a0a0-694b4b611214)
- ![A detailed close-up of the "Kurinji" panel from The Thinai Project. This piece depicts a woman looking at her reflection in the mountainous landscape, a symbol of self-fulfillment and empowerment. The intricate details and rich colors show the depth of storytelling possible in a large-scale commissioned artwork.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4b97a6f0-d5a6-4e0c-a9ca-ac21efa250bb)
- ![The finished mural at First Choice restaurant in Fort Kochi, painted with the help of the owner's children. This piece shows how I collaborate on-site to create art that is deeply connected to the people and the place, turning a restaurant wall into a local landmark.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ef2c29f2-cd11-42db-8bee-358c4fdcf951)

## Meet your expert

### My story

I’m Girija, words spill out of me - sometimes it’s just tears. My mind races, my body’s always catching up. Never had it easy, life’s a wild ride, but I’ve always had love. My sisters, my friends, my partner of 17 years, and my daughter - watched her grow from a tiny preemie to a fierce, kind adult. My mom was my first home, poured love into me. When it’s all too much, I run off to Tiruvannamalai, or float in a river. Water holds me. Still searching. Jai Bhim 💙

### My work

- **Murals, illustrations, and workshops**: I make political mural art, book illustrations, portraits, and run gender violence art workshops.
- **Art as activism**: My art starts tough conversations - about gender, child abuse, society. Truth is art for me.
- **Process over perfection**: I let the paint lead, focus on energy and likeness. Expressive portrait painting, never just realism.
- **Art for NGOs and families**: I work with NGOs, collectives, and make commissioned family art that lasts beyond us.