Shantiniketan, India — This spring, a unique international arts initiative, A Page of 2 Lands, is set to unfold at Arthshila Shantiniketan, bringing together artists from Wales and Nagaland in a vibrant celebration of folklore, comic literature, and gender equity.
Conceived by Meta Arts (India) and Cardiff-based arts producer Kate Perridge, the project is supported by Wales Arts International, the British Council, Arthshila Shantiniketan, and the Task Force for Music & Arts (TAFMA), Nagaland.
The collaboration features four women writers and illustrators: Emily Jones and Hannah McPake from Wales, and Vishü Rita Krocha and Thejavinuo Savi from Nagaland. Together, they explore contemporary storytelling rooted in indigenous traditions, lived experiences, and first-language expression.
The creative residency will run from 28 April to 1 May 2025 at Arthshila Shantiniketan, culminating in a public showcase on 2 May 2025. The showcase will include a public talk on cross-cultural storytelling and equity in the arts, a dramatized reading session, and an exhibition walkthrough offering a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process.
“A Page of 2 Lands is more than a cultural exchange; it’s a space for equitable creative dialogue led by women. We are challenging the historical underrepresentation of women in visual storytelling and literary arts,” said Arnab Banerjee, founder of Meta Arts.
The project aims to build sustainable pathways for international artistic co-creation, highlighting the cultural connections between Wales and Northeast India and amplifying underrepresented voices through multilingual and multimedia approaches.
About the Artists: Hannah McPake is a Cardiff-based writer and theatre-maker known for reimagining historical and well-known stories with bold female perspectives. She was a BBC Writers Room Welsh Voices 2023 fellow.
Emily Jones is an illustrator whose work spans children’s publishing and theatre set design. She brings humor and expressiveness to her character-driven illustrations.
Vishü Rita Krocha is an award-winning poet, journalist, and founder of PenThrill, an independent publishing house in Nagaland. She has authored six books and is known for amplifying indigenous voices.
Thejavinuo Savi is a realism-based visual artist whose detailed, textured work reflects Naga heritage and everyday life, using mediums like graphite, charcoal, and oil pastels.
Meta Arts is an India-based cultural production company working at the intersection of music, literature, and the performing arts. With a strong focus on international collaboration, Meta Arts fosters sustainable creative exchange through co-productions and touring projects.
Kate Perridge is a Cardiff-based arts producer with a specialization in interdisciplinary projects that explore storytelling, identity, and collaboration. She brings extensive experience in theatre, literature, and visual arts to global partnerships.
Media Contact: Arnab Banerjee, Meta Arts | metaarts@outlook.com | +91 9830522009
Kate Perridge | kate@perridge.net