Breaking walls, building confidence: Free graffiti workshop for women

Srushti Bansode paints graffiti on a wall near Versova Beach. Pics courtesy/@synk.graffiti

What if your first graffiti tag wasn't on a lonely street corner, but in a room full of women cheering you on? That's the idea behind Santacruz-based graffiti artist Srushti Bansode's upcoming free workshop for women and girls, designed to make street art more accessible to those who have always wanted to try it. The beginner-friendly session will introduce participants to graffiti sketching, spray-paint techniques and the fundamentals of creating street art. All materials, including spray paints, will be provided free of cost, ensuring that anyone can participate without worrying about equipment or expenses.

Animal-themed graffiti by Bansode on public water tank

"For me, when I first wanted to try graffiti, I didn't feel was welcoming. Graffiti is a form of art that you usually do on the streets, and I was always a tad scared to begin," says Bansode. "This workshop is about offering women that first step. They can drop by, experiment in a safe space, and if they enjoy it, continue practising on their own."

Bansode's art on the walls of a restaurant in Mira Road

The initiative is inspired by her experiences of entering a field where female artists remain largely underrepresented. "There aren't many women in graffiti, and I want to encourage more of them to give it a shot," she says.

Srushti Bansode

"Often, all you need is someone to make that first experience comfortable and accessible." Bansode hopes this is the beginning of a larger community that encourages more women to leave their mark on the city's walls.

ON July 18; 3 pm onwards
AT Andheri (revealed upon registration)
LOG ON TO @synk.graffiti
CALL 8879804538