Ashvini Menon’s Ecotism Exhibition in IIC

The Indian Institute of Cartoonists is presenting an exhibition of strip cartoons on the natural
environment by Mumbai based Ashvini Menon. The exhibition begins from Saturday 03 August is open for free public viewing till 17 August.

Dr AN Yellappa Reddy, IFS noted environmentalist and former Secretary, Department of Ecology and Environment, Government of Karnataka will be inaugurating the exhibition on 03 August at 11 am in the premises of Indian Institute of Cartoonists on Midford Road, near Trinity Circle MG Road, Bengaluru.

This exhibition showcases strip cartoons of Ashvini Menon, published in the Sunday magazine, weekly supplement of The Hindu newspaper from February 2017 to February 2019. According to Ashvini Menon: The Ecotism solely dealt with the sustainable-development issues faced in India and were inspired by day to day observations of peoples behaviours, conversations, interactions in the social media and the news.

Ashvini Menon at studio

Ashvini started her formal education in advertising and graphic design at the Rachana Sansad College of Applied Art and Craft, Mumbai. She further pursued Masters in Graphic Design from the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmadabad.Later she was employed as a User Experience Designer at Microsoft, India. However, during 2016 she returned to her home city Mumbai and founded Ashvini Menon Visual Design Studio (AMVDS).

The company strives to promote sustainability as much as they promote the power of visual design. AMVDS has been collaborating on several media and scales of visual-design-based projects. Branding, advertising and illustrations, using sustainable production methods are their core areas of specialization. The studio takes a keen interest in collaborating with brands that are driven to help the human society and co-exist with the natural environment.

The company's services include a big list like Advertising, Art Direction, Concept Development, Digital Design, Digita Illustrations, Environmental Graphics, Icon Development, Identity Design,Naming, Package Design, Print Design, Publication Design, Social Media Design, Social Media Strategy, Sustainable Design, Symbols & Signage’s, Traditional Illustrations, Visual Design Consultancy and Workshops.And the notable clients include Bark N' Lounge, USA, Bombay Natural History Society India, Chettinad Chennai, Edelweiss India, General Mills India, Greenpeace India, Help Us Green India. Here On Project Environment India, Microsoft India, Protected Area Update India,Reader's Digest India, The Hindu India, The Stylish Indian India, University Of Edinburgh Scotland, Visa Singapore, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau India, YouCAN, India.

In an e-mail interview Ashvini has responded to a couple of queries:

*What inspired you to draw cartoons?

I have always been a lover of wildlife and the natural environment. But it was only around 6 years ago, that I developed sensitivity towards environmental issues. Back then, I was shy to put across my thoughts about those issues, vocally or boldly in front of other people. So, I found solace in putting down the thoughts in the form of cartoons. To my surprise, they were very well received. That gave me confidence to spread the word about sustainable development, using the power of visuals. I believe, if we all apply sustainable practices to our daily life and businesses, we are creating a healthier future, not only for the wildlife but also for our fellow beings.

*How are you taking the art forward?

I still keep writing down ideas for the cartoon strip. I am now looking for a national newspaper to continue printing Ecotism cartoons.

-Manohar Yadavatti

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