Nani at artist residence: Day 5

By the third day of residence, I realized that a very important of my process for this project was collecting material, researching and interviewing Nani as well as other family members. 

As I had access to the exhibition space next to the library, one morning, in a fit of frenzy, I began hanging up images on the wall. Within minutes, I understood that what I needed to do was to make a visual mind map, some kind of constellation with all of the fragments I had been collecting. 

Seeing everything together on one surface changed my perspective completely. It was the first time since I began this project 4 years ago, that I allowed myself to look back at everything I had done. 

The feeling was overwhelming and quite magical. 

And then there was the magic of being able to draw on the walls, 

which somehow evokes almost the prehistoric necessity to make a mark and communicate something or tell a story.  

All the while, in the library, I continued working on final artworks for Chapter 1. I had occupied the entire table in the library with my photographs, sketches, notebooks, light-box and pencils.

Such a luxury...

Photos by Grassa Toro

La Cala de Chodes

Nani at artist residence: Day 4

Chapter 1

Mango Wanderings

I started this post on the fourth day of my residence, almost two months ago. I never completed at the post, because the work and process became so intense that I decided to focus on it. 

Since then, the intensity grew even bigger. 

After my residence, I returned to Madrid but have flown 3 times to Morocco and back. The first trip was for work, the second was planned for work and pleasure, but Nani was taken ill and I spent most of the trip in the clinic visiting her. 

A few days after returning to Madrid, Nani passed away and I rushed back for the departing rituals. 

I only came back a few days ago and am still overwhelmed by the loss. At the same time, I feel so grateful for having had so many moments with my Nani. Since she left us 12 days ago, 

I have spent lots of time watching footage I taped of her over the years, both with family and on my own. 

Today, I decided to begin posting my process again. I am picking up where I left off, but adding and taking out 

bits and pieces as I see fit. 

On the 4th day of my residence at La Cala de Chodes, while working on the first chapter of the book, I had a wild craving for the taste of mango. Lucky for me there was one in the kitchen, waiting for me. 

The chapter is called Mango Wanderings, because mango is a symbol of love and fertility, and Nani's exile embodied exactly that. 

It is also something very present in Indian culture

that she could find in Ghana. The recipe for this chapter is Mango Lassi, which I prepared for the celebratory dinner at the residence.

This will be one of the longest chapters of the book.  

It goes through the first 2 or so decades of Nani's life, explains her childhood in Sindh, her migration to Ghana before the Partition of India and Pakistan and the birth of her 6 children. 

Below are some details of the process. 

Nani at artist residence: Day 3

This is my Nani,

and I, am her Karish. 

At a first glance, Nani seems to be an ordinary grandmother.

But when you  get to know her a little bit, you will soon see that she is magic.

Nani is now 90 years old and has travelled all over the world. She lives a life full of adventure and I think it´s a wonderful story to share, so I have decided to share my version of it.

This is how the story begins.

Nani at artist residence: Day 2

After warming up a bit, I mustered up the courage to begin to draw Nani. It took a while and I had to ask for her permission...in different ways and on many levels. 

And then this happened...

drawings for the first chatper of the book:

Mango Wanderings

Nani at artist residence: Day 1

It's been years since I started this project. 

And though I am very eager to finish it, it's been difficult concentrating on it with so many other things going on. 

So, as a gift to myself, and in hope of advancing on the book, I decided to come to La Cala de Chodes for an artist residence.

And I brought Nani with me! 

Well...not physically. But I have brought her recipes, her spices, her mantras and candles. I got here yesterday afternoon and got settled in to my new workspace: the beautiful library.
I started working on the cover of the book to help me find my bearings. 

A map of the book

Last year, for my first formal publisher's 

meeting I put together

this map of the project. 

It is a small guide for me to follow 

while working on the book.