Artist and Community Volunteers Unveil Next Ulrich Exhibition Piece

Community Invited to Participate in Unique Art Installation at Ulrich Museum of Art

This week, the Ulrich Museum of Art on the Wichita State University campus is set to become the site of a remarkable artistic endeavor. Texas-based artist Abhidnya Ghuge will be creating one of her largest installations to date—a massive sculpture made entirely from woodblock-printed paper plates and chicken wire.

Ghuge’s work is both intricate and symbolic, drawing attention to themes of community, impermanence, and human connection. For this installation, she plans to use approximately 12,000 printed paper plates, though she’s brought thousands more as a precaution. Each plate is hand-printed using oil-based ink on a custom-carved woodblock, a process that takes months of meticulous preparation.

The artist is inviting members of the public to join in the creative process during a community-build event on Friday, July 11, from 1 to 4 p.m. Anyone with dexterous hands is welcome to participate in folding and assembling the plates into the structure. The event offers a rare opportunity for local residents to contribute directly to a major contemporary art piece.

Once completed, the sculpture will be displayed in the museum’s largest gallery space from July 22 through December 6. The exhibition will also feature the carved birch boards used to print the plates, offering insight into Ghuge’s labor-intensive process. The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Thursdays.

A Metaphor for Life and Community

For Ghuge, each paper plate represents an individual life—temporary, yet capable of contributing to something greater when joined with others. “I consider myself just like a paper plate, here to be of service, of use, and then leave this life when my purpose is done,” she has said. “If thousands of paper plates (or lives) come together, we can have a positive impact.”

This philosophy has guided her work for over two decades. Her large-scale, site-responsive installations are never duplicated—they are designed specifically for the architectural and cultural context of their location. For the Ulrich Museum, she has chosen to emphasize themes of education and personal growth.

From Medicine to Art: A Personal Journey

Before becoming a full-time artist, Ghuge pursued a different path. She earned a medical degree in dermatology in Bombay, India, and moved to the United States in 1996 intending to complete a residency. However, visa changes altered those plans, prompting her to return to her original passion—art. She went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fine arts from the University of Texas at Tyler, where she later taught.

Art had always played a significant role in her life. As a child, she was encouraged by her father to draw every Friday. During a difficult adolescence marked by family instability, art became a refuge. It was during her first sculpture class as an undergraduate that she received devastating news—the death of her 14-year-old son following an accident. In response, she created her first paper plate sculpture, a vessel symbolizing loss, memory, and the fragility of life.

Behind the Scenes: Crafting Thousands of Plates

Each of Ghuge’s large-scale pieces requires hundreds, sometimes thousands, of individually printed paper plates. She begins by carving intricate, henna-inspired designs into large woodblocks measuring up to 4 feet by 3 feet. Using oil-based ink, she prints the designs onto disposable paper plates, which are then stored and transported for assembly.

Despite working full time in the health insurance industry, Ghuge dedicates her evenings and weekends to her art. “I can only print so many plates in the evening after dinner and on the weekends,” she explained. Once installed, the temporary nature of the sculpture aligns with her message of transience. After disassembly, the plates are repurposed into smaller, permanent wall artworks.

Upcoming Events

In addition to the community-build event on July 11, two more opportunities will allow the public to engage with Ghuge’s work:

• Artist Talk:
  6–7 p.m., Tuesday, July 15
  At the McKnight Art Center, Ghuge will share insights into her creative journey, inspirations, and the meaning behind her work.

• Printmaking Process Presentation:
  10–11:30 a.m., July 16
  Led by Doug Billings, a veteran printmaking instructor, this session will explore various printmaking techniques as part of the museum’s Senior Wednesday program.

The Ulrich Museum hopes these events will deepen public appreciation for the intersection of personal narrative, craftsmanship, and community collaboration. Those interested in participating or learning more can contact the museum at 316-978-3662 or visit ulrich.wichita.edu.