Kashika Reddy, a student artist and founder of Samagra Collective, is using unconventional tools to spark dialogue on inclusion, safety, and sustainability in cities. Through public art made from waste, community collaborations, and her illustrated children’s book Sparsa (The Touch), she addresses themes of gender equity, consent, and environmental responsibility. Kashika’s journey began with her art teacher, Nilofer Suleman, who shared stories of artists who shaped thought and society. She realized that art and storytelling could communicate ideas across barriers of age, literacy, and background.
Kashika created Samagra Collective to transform discarded materials into public art, making waste a learning tool and creating livelihood opportunities for women artisans. Her book, Sparsa (The Touch), aims to empower children to understand boundaries without fear or shame, and to help adults start conversations about consent. When choosing themes and locations for public art installations, Kashika considers who needs representation in that space and what issue matters to the local community.
Collaboration is central to Kashika’s work, and she believes that the process itself builds community. By working with NGOs, women artisans, and youth groups, she ensures that the artwork reflects shared stories rather than individual expression. The artwork becomes a shared civic experience, and the process creates networks that last beyond the project. Kashika has seen the impact of her work, particularly with Sparsa, which has become a practical tool for child safety.
Kashika balances academics with activism and creative work by planning timelines carefully and relying on mentors. She sees academics and activism as complementary, with each strengthening the other. She believes that young people bring urgency and imagination to creative activism, which can encourage co-creation rather than confrontation. In the future, Kashika plans to scale her model to more cities and integrate waste-to-art into urban systems, while continuing to design tools that make gender equity accessible to all.
Through her work, Kashika demonstrates the power of art and storytelling as instruments of social change. By using unconventional tools and collaborating with communities, she is able to address complex issues in a way that is accessible and engaging. Her commitment to creating a more inclusive and sustainable world is inspiring, and her work serves as a model for others who want to make a positive impact. As Kashika continues to grow and develop as an artist and activist, it will be exciting to see the impact she has on her community and beyond.