Confluence: Arts across Boundaries

SUP 2025 UK Final Exhibition

The initial meaning for “confluence” is the meeting point of rivers. Inherent in the word are three additional meanings; ‘intersection’ – the encounter and overlap of two streams, ‘gathering’ – concentrating multiple forces into one place, and ‘fusion’ – the merging of diverse elements into a unified whole.

This exhibition brings together artists and students from the UK, India, and Taiwan. And through this confluence of diverse perspectives, three distinct cultural contexts flow into each other and generate new creative dialogues and energies.

The works shown are a collection of outcomes from the SUP 2025 international artist residency programmes that took place at Sarvajanik School of Fine Arts, Sarvajanik University in India, and the Department of Fine Arts, National Changhua University of Education in Taiwan.

SUP has acted as a facilitator - creating space for currents of thought and culture, from three countries, to converge and arrive here in the UK. We believe the fruits of this collaboration will ripple outward, opening further possibilities for cross-cultural discourse through artistic exchanges.

‘Confluence: Arts across Boundaries’ will tour from University of Salford in Manchester to XYZ gallery in London, celebrating the value of arts across countries and the importance of international development through cultural exchange.

Participating members (list reordered alphabetically)

Artists

Nicola Hills, Margarita Frančeska Loze, Tarla Patel, Danny Young

Tutors

Hao Ning Chang, Naishadh Jani, Rajarshi Smart

Students

Yu Han (Austin) Chen, Manav Sumra, En Ling Sung, Ling Wei Tiong, Nityam Zaveri, Jie Yu (Charlie) Zheng

MANCHESTER | 23 - 25 July

The Atrium, New Adelphi Building, University of Salford

Opening 23 July 5-8pm

43 Crescent, Salford M5 4WT

LONDON | 29 - 31 July

XYZ Gallery

Opening 29 July 6-9pm

Workshop 30 July 1-4pm

5 Grays Inn Rd, WC1X 8PH

Impressions of India: A Cultural Experience

by Artist Rajarshi Smart and Naishadh Jani

Discover the poetic rhythm of Indian seasons and the beauty of traditional design—engaging with cultural storytelling through Barmasha and exploring creative expression through hands-on printmaking.

30th July 1-4pm at XYZ Gallery

Workshop Overview

This two-part workshop explores the poetic and visual richness of Indian cultural traditions.

Session 1: Barmasha Participants are introduced to Barmasha — the twelve poetic months of India — and how these seasonal moods and emotions have shaped Indian art across time. From miniature paintings to textiles and temple murals, the session uncovers how artists express themes of nature, longing, joy, and devotion through vibrant visual language.

Session 2: Indian Motifs in Printmaking Inspired by India's traditional art forms, this hands-on session explores block and mono-printing techniques using floral, geometric, and folk motifs. Participants create their own printed artworks on paper or fabric, blending cultural heritage with personal creativity.

The workshop is inclusive and accessible to all levels, encouraging intercultural exchange through storytelling, design, and handmade artistic expression.

  • Nicola Hills

    India Resident Artist

  • Margarita Frančeska Loze

    Taiwan Resident Artist

  • Tarla Patel

    India Resident Artist

  • Danny Young

    Taiwan Resident Artist

  • Hao Ning Chang

    Digital art and new media Lecturer, National Changhua University of Education

  • Prof. Rajarshi Smart

    Asst. Professor, IDPT-SCET, Sarvajanik University

  • Prof. Naishadh Jani

    Asst. Professor, IDPT-SCET, Sarvajanik University

  • Yu Han (Austin) Chen

    3rd Year Art Student, National Changhua University of Education

  • Manav Sumra

    Architecture Student, Sarvajanik University

  • En Ling Sung

    2nd Year Art Student, National Changhua University of Education

  • Ling Wei Tiong

    1st Year Art Student, National Changhua University of Education

  • Nityam Zaveri

    Art Student, Sarvajanik University

Something Useful Project

Something Useful Project (SUP), founded in 2011, is a UK-based NGO dedicated to creating unique 3–6

month international residency opportunities for UK artists.

Each residency is designed to support the development of the artist’s professional practice while

offering meaningful opportunities to engage with local art students, tutors, and fellow creatives—

immersing themselves in the cultural and artistic landscapes of the host country.

In 2024, SUP established a local team in Taiwan. With extensive cross-disciplinary experience across

the UK’s art, culture, and education sectors, the SUP Taiwan team brings a forward-thinking and

adaptable strategic approach tailored to Taiwan’s unique context.

SU x SUP 2025

Discover more about our international artist residency programme in collaboration with the Sarvajanik School of Fine Arts, Sarvajanik University (India).

NCUE x SUP 2025

Discover more about our international artist residency programme in collaboration with Department of Fine Arts, National Changhua University of Education (Taiwan).