Artist-Led Masterclass with Richi Bhatia: Studio Tour and Assemblage Making

Join us for a two-day workshop and studio tour with multidisciplinary artist Richi Bhatia, reimagining the intersections of food, mythology, and ecology through the practice of assemblage. Drawing inspiration from the vibrant ecosystem of The Waterfront Market, Dubai—which Bhatia considers an extension of her studio—this programme invites you to explore foundational and sculptural aspects of assemblage. Through a blend of theoretical discussion, walking and tactile making, participants navigate prompts to build their own assemblages and tablespace, questioning how we conceptualise and materially engage with the world around us. Session Breakdown: Session 1: The day begins with an introductory talk and guided journey to The Waterfront Market, offering insight into Bhatia’s practice and her use of anthropology, research and walking as key artistic tools. Participants delve into the foundational and sculptural aspects of assemblage, contemplating mythological, cultural and geographical frameworks of food and ecology. The session includes prompts for observation and writing to deepen this reflection, encouraging participants to look at the market beyond the lens of consumption. Session 2: Building on the previous day’s foundation, the morning starts with a refresher on key concepts, before introducing a focussed exercise that asks participants to work with their assemblages in relation to a shared “tablespace.” The day ends with a final group critique and discussion, encouraging collaborative thinking and deeper critical engagement on how individual works coexist within a wider ecosystem. No prior art experience is required, and all materials are provided. This workshop is open to adults aged 16+, offering an opportunity to engage deeply with contemporary artistic practice while expanding the boundaries of creative inquiry through the lens of ecology and shared knowledge. Fee: 500 AED inclusive of materials, transportation to and from The Waterfront Market and refreshments. Spaces are limited. Reserve your spot now! About Richi Bhatia: Richi Bhatia is an Indian artist based in the UAE, whose practice spans performance, drawing, installation, food, and assemblages. Over the last decade, her work has transitioned into non-taxonomical ways of looking at human-animal interactions. Her installations, text and material-based scrolls, and assemblages create a feedback loop, responding to the synergy between bodies, sound, and the arrangement of/in meat and fish markets. Interested in slow acts of transformation, her practice is unpacked through processes, collection of objects, and sound. The constructed stories seem personal at first, yet are oddly open to variant degrees of access, relation, and reflection. SEE ALL EVENTS