Laurence Hugues returns to India for launch of “Nanki Paints her own World”

12 December 2025

Villa Swagatam alumna Laurence Hugues, who completed her residency at the Eklavya Foundation in 2024, returns to India in January 2026 for the launch of Nanki Paints Her Own World, a new publication by the Eklavya Foundation. The book was conceived during her time in Bhopal and across Madhya Pradesh, where Laurence immersed herself in local stories, landscapes and learning environments that shaped the narrative.

Nanki Paints Her Own World follows a young girl who loves to draw and sees the world in colours and shapes. As the traditions of her village begin to confine her imagination, she sets out alone toward the forest, where an unexpected encounter leads her into a quiet, transformative journey of discovery, resilience and creativity. It is a gentle, thoughtful story about freedom, artistic expression, and the enduring ties between humans and the natural world.

The book is illustrated by Ananya Singh, an illustrator from the National Institute of Design, Assam, whose sensitive visual language enriches the tale with clarity and warmth.

To accompany the launch, Laurence will travel through New Delhi, Hyderabad, Bhopal, and Jaipur, engaging with readers, educators and festival audiences.