Devakad - Remembered

by Chitra Merchant

In much of her work Chitra Merchant uses ancient Indian historical sites as a source of inspiration to develop imagined structures. This limited edition screenprint produced exclusively for RA Editions, continues that theme.

Printed at Spike Print Studio in Bristol as an edition of 30, each is signed and numbered by the artist.

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£350.00

Artwork details

Material Screenprint
Dimensions 56 x 56cm
Edition of 30

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Product story

In much of her work Chitra Merchant uses ancient Indian historical sites as a source of inspiration from which to develop imagined structures that take on a life and logic of their own.

This print is part of a body of work inspired by Merchant’s recent trip to India. During this journey she was able to visit some of the forests of Karnataka and Kerala, in particular the Devakads or sacred groves found on the Western Ghats.

In the artist’s words:

‘Local custom dictates that no one is allowed to forage or cultivate within these forests as they are protected and presided over by deities. Apart from them being a model for biodiversity and conservation, I am interested in these spaces for their wildness and inherent mystery.’
Chitra Merchant, 2019

The depicted building is a composite image of a working temple in Kodagu (a district in southern India) together with ancient animistic deities. The Dravidian style architecture of the temple is common to many buildings in southern India.

This print was produced for RA Editions at Spike Print Studio, Bristol.

All proceeds from sales of this work go directly to support the non-profit-making areas of the Royal Academy, particularly the RA Schools.

"Local custom dictates that no one is allowed to forage or cultivate within these forests as they are protected and presided over by deities. Apart from them being a model for biodiversity and conservation, I am interested in these spaces for their wildness and inherent mystery."

Devakad –Remembered is part of a body of work inspired by Merchant’s trip to India. During this journey she was able to visit some of the forests of Karnataka and Kerala, in particular the Devakads and sacred groves found on the Western Ghats. The depicted building is a composite image of a working temple in the Kodagu district of southern India together with ancient animistic deities. The Dravidian-style architecture of the temple features in many buildings in this region.



The RA Editions programme generates valuable revenue for the RA and in particular the RA Schools.​​

About Chitra Merchant

Chitra Merchant was born in India and completed her BA in Psychology in Bangalore before departing for a year working at an artist’s studio in West Africa.Merchant came to the UK in the 1990s, completing another degree in Illustration at the University of West England and discovering her love of printmaking. Following group exhibitions, in 2001 she based herself at... Go to artist page