I first met Nicky when I curated an online exhibition in 2021. I have known her most personal works to emerge from her own lived experiences, raising difficult questions and provoking internal reflections. This stems from her deep embeddedness in her community. And her tireless efforts during the ongoing conflict in her home state Manipur is evidence of this same commitment. 

​

As someone whose research is sustained by photographic practices in Northeast India, I am both humbled and honoured to help Nicky in a small way by organising and coordinating this print sale fundraiser. Doing this has not been easy, especially for Nicky as she continues to work on the ground whilst dealing with everyday emotional and psychological distress. It has taken us months to finally get this up and I hope we find support from all corners. 

After some deliberation, we decided upon Nicky’s theatre photographs, which showcaase the rich performance tradition of Manipur. I have curated images where movement takes over the stillness of the frames. Some vibrant, some subtle— these movements represent a refusal to stay subdued whilst anticipating a futurity of some kind, an act on the verge of occurrence. This aesthetic of movement embodies a story in progress, not a finished action or gesture. And thinking of images in this way makes way for a curious space where unfinished stories have the agency to erupt at any moment in time. 

I hope these photographs find a meaningful space in your homes. We look forward to your support. 

Mridu Rai