Artisan Village in the Hills
Wander through an open-air artisan village in the Perth Hills, a space where stone carving, palm leaf art, live painting, and performance unfold across forest trails, riverside paths, and a natural amphitheatre. Pause for a nourishing refreshment and a cup of chai beneath the trees as conversations and creativity flow around you.
With installations, workshops, and moments of movement and music, the Art Sanctuary invites you to experience art in rhythm with nature, culture, and community.
What you will see and experience
This year’s showcase features Indian stone carving, Pattachitra, palm leaf art, textiles, and performance. Alongside these, explore a range of immersive experiences from music and movement to storytelling, reflection, and nature-based practices.
Open daily, 7 – 16 November from 10am to 4pm
Artworks and Interaction with Artisans
Discover self-guided spaces throughout the Art Sanctuary where you can engage with art and the land at your own pace. Try your hand at stone carving, join in painting, enjoy yoga walks, or pause in the music area to connect with the sounds and spirit of the place.
Special Performance Evenings
15 & 16 November, 4pm – 7pm
As the sun sets over the Perth Hills, experience a curated lineup of performative works celebrating artistic practice and cultural heritage, from soulful Carnatic music and vibrant folk and contemporary performances from the Indian diaspora to classical dance styles with a 2,000-year-old heritage inspired by the ancient sculptures and temple traditions of India.
Featured Artisans
Ratnakar Maharana | Artisan - Master Stone sculptor
Mr. Ratnakar Maharana is a master sculptor carrying forward a family tradition that has produced masterpieces such as the Konark and Jagannath temples. His exceptional craftsmanship has been recognised with numerous honours, including the State Award for Stone Carving (1989), the prestigious National Award (1996), the Kalanidhi Award (1999), and the Kala Mani Award (2010). In 2024, he was invited to Perth as part of the Armadale Hills Arts Trail and made a historic contribution by using Australian limestone for the first time in his career, applying the traditional Konark technique to create a unique sculpture at the Art Sanctuary.
Niranjan Maharana | Artisan - Pattachitra Artist
Mr. Niranjan Maharana is a renowned National Awardee Pattachitra artist from Odisha, India, celebrated for his vibrant and intricate works that depict mythological and devotional themes. His art brings to life stories of deities such as Jagannath, Radha, and Krishna as well as natural and symbolic elements tied to Odisha's cultural heritage. He is known for his use of natural dyes and handmade papers. One of his most notable pieces, Tree of Life, is part of the collection at the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia, showcasing his international acclaim. Dedicated to safeguarding the Pattachitra tradition, he mentors and trains young artists, ensuring that this 12th-century art form continues to thrive in the modern era.
Manoj Haridas Vhatkar | Artistan - Tabla Maker
Mr. Manoj Haridas Vhatkar, son of the legendary tabla maker Mr. Haridas R. Vhatkar, has mastered the craft of building some of the world's finest leather musical instruments. He has dedicated his career inn making instruments such as Tabla and Dholak etc. and South Indian-style Mridangam. Through workshops and collaborations, he shares his knowledge of instrument-making, tuning, and maintenance, ensuring that the art of crafting these iconic instruments continues to flourish.
Amar Kumar Ojha | Artisan - Stone Carver
Mr. Amar Kumar Ojha is an accomplished stone carver from Odisha, known for his expertise in traditional Indian sculptural techniques and deep understanding of classical iconography. His mastery of shilpa-shastra-based principles allows him to create pieces that embody both spiritual and architectural significance. He is also experienced in live demonstrations of stone carving, making his work accessible and inspiring to audiences around the world.
Dr Sarasa Krishnan | Artistan - Visual Artist & Author
Sarasa Krishnan is an Indian classical dancer, visual artist, and author who has performed, exhibited, and lectured across Europe, the UK, the USA, Australia, and Asia. Her distinctive movement-based painting style uses rhythm to infuse colour onto canvas, reflecting the philosophy and aesthetics of Indian tradition. Sarasa’s large-scale works explore metaphysical concepts and evoke a rare, contemplative energy in the viewer.
In 2014, she published Bharata’s Karanas, a study of the 108 Karanas in Sage Bharata’s Natya Shastra, examining the link between philosophical inquiry and artistic creation. She completed her PhD at Murdoch University in 2016, exploring the role of the observer in performance through the Indian aesthetic theory of Rasa and its relationship to consciousness.