Our Story 

by Madhavi Pramod Gangadharan

Art always played a significant role in our lives. Be it fine arts, performing arts or even simple school projects, being artistic was always encouraged. It started with my mother, Jayashree and her love for imagery and colours.

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Even as a young child, she had an obsession with sketch pens and the infinite colour palettes in the world. This drew her to the art world. She started with simple paintings — copies of the great masters. As she was exposed to more of the world and life, her illustrations began to change.

In 2014, after a 3 — day workshop in Black and White Art; her obsession with the image of the Theyyam — a ritual workshop dance form in Kerala, formed. My mother is all about the details. The more intricate and delicate, the better. Finally, she is ready to share with the world her once-in-a-lifetime talent.

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The name, The Ivory Workshop, is carefully chosen for heart-warming reasons. The name “Ivory” holds a special place in our hearts. Our patriarch had a dream which he began to work on in 2013. Unfortunately, the dream was never fulfilled. And the name of his creation was Ivory. It not only represents him but also our home town of Thrissur, the elephants, and my mother's obsession with the colour white.

We are a " Workshop" and not a studio as we believe in constantly creating, and reworking our art.

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The story doesn't end here. This journey has been long and tough. I started this venture in 2016, as Jay U Artworks. It was an opportunity to showcase the talents of my mother.

In the last year, my youngest cousin took up the initiative, and created a blog for my mother to share her stories and illustrations. This planted a small seed in us. With encouragement from us, her herd, she has achieved her life-long dream of being a professional artist. We all contributed in its creation.

I took charge and created this platform; from the website, branding, logo and other creative decisions. My brother and I manage the store and orders. 

There is another reason why Jay U Artworks transformed into The Ivory Workshop. Eventually, we hope to not just be an art shop, but a community for all creatives like painters, illustrators, dancers, writers.

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The Ivory Workshop is not only an artist. It is a community, like an elephant herd.

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 Welcome To Our Herd.