Sukanya Mani is a St. Louis-based, Indian- born interdisciplinary artist. Her work centers around the awareness of the sobering reality that home, traditionally considered a sanctuary, can become a place of danger for individuals experiencing Domestic Violence. This is compounded in immigrant and refugee communities where culture, language, isolation and legal status add layers to this complex issue.
She is drawn to materials that allow her to explore the relevance of authority, culture, migration and storytelling within a relationship. Her work incorporates legal documents, informative pamphlets, found objects, motion sensors and projection into her installations. The artist works closely with survivors, advocacy organizations, and support networks through workshops, panel discussions, and interviews to ensure that their voices are heard and honored. These offer opportunities for individuals to share their stories, and create a platform for discussion of complicated barriers for immigrants and refugees. She incorporates these stories and data into visual elements that reflect entrapment, isolation, and cycles of abuse.
Her works are featured in prominent private and public collections and she has been creating commissioned public art pieces throughout the region for several years. A TEDX STL 2021 Speaker, Sukanya has received numerous awards and grants for her work creating art in the community. She regularly teaches workshops and serves as a Resident and Visiting Artist.