French artist paints a mural of voices and empowerment at LSR

Surrounded by vibrant flowers blooming across the Lady Shri Ram College for Women (LSR) campus, a new mural was taking shape as part of the fifth edition of the Wall Art Festival’s Delhi chapter.

Artist Olivier Poizat, aka Kesadi, flew in from France for the festival and painted The Nightingale and the Grocery Shop. He spent four days on campus, connecting with students while working on the mural alongside volunteers from Delhi Street Art. Between brushstrokes, Kesadi shared, “Some students came to paint alongside me to help create the mural – it was amazing. The inspiration came from the fruit and vegetable stands I saw during my trip, as well as the birds in this park.

My experience in Delhi went very well.”

‘The idea is to celebrate the beauty of the mundane’Led by Alliance Française in collaboration with the Embassy of France and the Institut Français, the festival is being celebrated across 15 cities. Shailja Negi, Cultural Head of Alliance Française Delhi and the mural’s conceptualiser, said, “On International Women’s Day, I wanted to celebrate Sarojini Naidu and Annie Ernaux, who have inspired generations of young women to find meaning in their lived experiences.

The idea is to celebrate the beauty of the mundane – life as it is – and explore words and social perceptions through the voices of two agents of change.”‘LSR stands for empowerment through the arts’Principal Prof Kanika Ahuja noted the importance of art on campus and said, “The mural reflects how we see LSR – not just as a space to be beautified, but one with symbolism. The idea of a conversation between Sarojini Naidu and Annie Ernaux aligns with what we are trying to represent here – empowerment through the arts.

It’s a modest attempt by the college to mark the 2026 Year of Innovation between India and France.”

Hive, the fine arts society of LSR, has been active with mural painting around campus, including creating a Lippan Art Wall. Convenor of Hive and assistant professor of political science, Bhargavi Charan said, “Hive is LSR’s creative art society, and it serves as a platform for students to express their creativity. Since LSR is largely a humanities college, we explore art through multiple forms while also engaging with political conversations – not just within India but globally.

Hive gives students complete creative liberty to exhibit their work, including paintings and installations. We also have an annual tradition of creating a mural each year, often centred around themes that feel most relevant to that particular moment.”