Vivek Muthuramalingam is an editorial and documentary photographer, artist, and writer based in Bangalore, India. As a visual storyteller, he employs the photo-essay as his principal form to craft compelling narratives.
Many of Vivek's projects are multidisciplinary, encompassing research, writing, and video work. He believes that a compelling story often requires a combination of these tools and a collaborative effort. His holistic approach ensures a rich and immersive narrative experience.
Beginning his career as an editorial and travel photographer, Vivek naturally gravitated towards the engaging medium of documentary photography. This shift allowed him to seek a deeper understanding and connection with his subjects, moving beyond surface-level imagery to capture the essence of their stories.
Vivek is passionate about amplifying the voices of underrepresented and marginalised communities often sidelined by mainstream media. He strives to represent these stories with sensitivity and objectivity, acknowledging that lived experiences are best conveyed by those who live them. Over the years, he has embraced collaborations with communities, encouraging them to tell their own stories in their own voices.
Kāṇike Studios
In 2019, Vivek co-founded Kāṇike Studios, an art space dedicated to exploring historic and alternative processes of photographic printing, from cyanotypes to albumen prints. He believes these forgotten processes still hold significant value in contemporary photography, offering a unique perspective and aesthetic.
Availability and Collaboration
Vivek is available for assignments across the country and enjoys collaborating with nonprofits and organisations devoted to humanistic causes, ecological preservation, and creating a more equitable world.
Selected Clients
UNICEF, The WHO, Greenpeace, Gulf News, The Wall Street Journal, The Sunday Guardian, Motherland Magazine, TimeOut Explorer, Outlook, Perfect Places, Down to Earth, Tehelka, Domus India, National Geographic Traveller India, Huffington Post India, The Caravan, and The Indian Express.
EDUCATION
- 1996-2002 MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) RGUHS, Karnataka
- 1988-94 Foundation course (Fine Art), Ken School of Art, Bengaluru
EXHIBITIONS
- 2023 Dreams of a Summer Past, Gallery Blueprint.12, New Delhi
- 2022 Neon Christmas (Solo), Namma Katte, Bengaluru
- 2020 State of Salax, Kanike Studios, Bengaluru
- 2016 3x4 Exploring Metaspaces Delhi & London
- 2014 Meet you there (Solo), MOD Arts Program, Bengaluru
- 2014 'Live Memory Project’, Unbox Labs, NID, Ahmedabad
- 2013 Format Festival, Derby, UK
- 2013 Interlude Obscura, Gitanjali Gallery, Goa
- 2012 6°, Unbox Festival, New Delhi
- 2011 Asian Street Photographers Showcase, Angkor, Cambodia
- 2009 Contemporary India, Bowling Green State University, Ohio, USA
- 2008 Art, Space and the City, Goethe Institut/ Max Mueller Bhavan, Bangalore
- 2008 Urban Spaces, Gallery Cymroza, Mumbai
- 2007 Angkor Photo Festival, Cambodia
- 2007 Venice International Photo Festival, Venice
RESIDENCIES
- 2019 bangaloREsidency-Expanded (Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan), whiteBOX Studio, Munich
- 2016 Undivided Mind, KHOJ, Delhi
- 2014 Unbox Labs, NID, Ahmedabad
- 2013 GOA Centre of Alternative Photography, Calangute, Goa
GRANTS
- 2022 Living Lightly Fellowship, Centre of Pastoralism, New Delhi
- 2021 Pandemic as Portal, 1, Shanti Road, Bengaluru (with fellow artists at Kanike Studios)
- 2020 Frames Photography Grant, Sahapedia
PUBLISHED WORK (SELECTED) • BOOKS
- 2022 The Slow Pleasure of Analog, Dark ‘N’ Light
- 2021 Slipping through the cracks: Urban under-immunisation on Bengaluru’s margins, Gavi/ Vaccine Alliance
- 2021 Jolly Bird, limited edition book with fellow artists at Kanike Studios
- 2016 Ten words for rain: A story of love and climate change, Al Jazeera
- 2015 The Distance to Healing, Motherland Magazine
- 2015 Solitude at Nandidurg Road, Livemint
- 2014 Dance of Jasmine, Kindle Magazine
- 2012 Spaces & Smells - Bangalore, Quicksand
WORKSHOPS
- 2019 Ambrotypes, Studio Goppo, Santiniketan
- 2016 Science Journalism Workshop, NCBS, Bengaluru
- 2011 Another World, Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan (Mentor: Heidi Specker)
- 2009 Foundry Photojournalism Workshop, Manali (Mentor: Ami Vitale)
- 2008 Art, Space and the City, Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan
- 2007 Urban Changes, Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan Mumbai (Mentor: Andrea Kuenzig)
- 2007 Emerging Photographers Workshop, Angkor Photo Festival, Angkor, Cambodia (Mentors: Antoine D’Agata/ Renée Byer)
MENTORSHIP
- 2023 OSCH Project (in association with the Museum of Art and Photography (MAP), British Council and Glasgow Life) Kanike Studios, Bengaluru
- 2020 Cyanotype Workshop – (Anthillhacks 20.21 & with children of Govt. School Durgada Halli) Devarayanadurga, Tumkur
- 2017 Photojournalism & Documentary Workshop, ICAT Design and Media College, Chennai and Bengaluru
- 2016 Namma Ooru Namma Neeru – Water Tales from and around the city (co-curated with S. Vishwanath) Goethe - Institut & Rangoli Art Centre, Bengaluru
- 2015 IN Focus Workshop– with students of Architecture, RVCE Bengaluru
- 2011 Multimedia Training Program for Rural Youth – (with NGO Grama Vikas) Honnsetthalli, Kolar
PRESS
- 2024 Conversations with the city, Connect ASAP
- 2023 The Humane Lens, Kala Express
- 2023 Photography and the Return of Analog, The Hindu
- 2011 Interview: Invisible Photographer Asia
PROFESSIONAL ROLES
- 2021 - Photography Consultant, UNICEF
- 2018-19 Communication Designer, Goldman Sachs
- 2008-11 Staff Photographer, TimeOut Magazine