The Gujarati word for sparrow is chakali. This is a linoleum block print of a chakali:

I made 100 of these prints while I was an Artist-in-Residence at Chhaap Foundation for Printmaking Trust.
I dyed them in turmeric,

then had them stuffed and sewn up.
Meanwhile, through an introduction by the organization Koshish Milap, I was conducting art workshops at a nearby school.
This extraordinary little one-room school was also a clinic in the evening.

The mission of Koshish Milap, headed by Drs. Kishor and Varsha Mistry, is to educate and provide healthcare to the ‘slum’ community of Muj Mahuda.

There are over 750 families in Muj Mahuda that use these medical and educational services.


The children loved making collages.

The word spread about their talent and enthusiasm, and the Times of India wrote an article about their good work!

I thought we could collaborate on the subject of chakalis…

They made some excellent collage birds,

I mean, really excellent…

and loaned them to me for an exhibit at Chhaap.

In exchange, all 50 students received one Chakali.


You can have one, too!

photo credits: Shannon Holman