Kodandi Nithyananda
pronouns: any/all
Kodandi Nithyananda is a multi-dimensional, multi-media artist whose work touches themes of the body as ephemera, the intersection of resilience, illness and disability, queering the sublime, and spaces of interiority. The artist’s work comes from a meditative space and is informed by life in an ashram and time spent as a monk.
The artist entered the art world at age 30 after years of experimenting on small projects and learning odd skills and techniques. Kodandi is also an avid do-it-yourselfer, and the DIY approach carries over into art practice. The artist was born and raised in a rural working class community, and even though the artist now prefers the urban environment Kodandi never forgot a love of nature and the satisfaction of working with their hands. The artist studied traditional material forms of sculpture at California College of the Arts, but in choosing to join an ashram sold all belongings, tools and gave up their home studio. The artist transitioned to a lifestyle of living with minimal belongings and now works primarily in digital and new media.
With gratitude to my guru, Bhagawan Sri Nithyananda Paramashivam.
Exhibitions:
2023: Way Out West, Sierra Wind Wellness and Recovery Center, Jackson, California, and other locations in Calaveras and Tuolumne Counties
2021: Long COVID: We Are Here!, Relational Space Gallery, New York, NY, VR gallery https://longcovidwearehere.com/
2017: The Mannequin Show, 5701 Telegraph Art Gallery, Oakland CA
2017: The Art of Planetary Science, University of Arizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, Tuscon AZ
Projects:
2021-current: council member of HypeDAO, online community events and arts promotion using blockchain technology, blog writing and editing: http://hypedao.xyz
2018: C Project Visitor Guide for "Romantic Songs of the Patriarchy" with artist Ragnar Kjartansson
2010: Video productions and editing, Community TV Show: Fabled: Stories of Disabled Lesbians, http://www.fabledasp.com
Residencies:
Education:
MFA, Visual Arts, Maharishi International University, Fairfield, Iowa, USA (anticipated 2026)
BFA, Sculpture, California College of the Arts, Oakland, California, USA
BA, Anthropology & Sociology, Mills College, Oakland, California, USA
Study Abroad, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Tokyo, Japan
Please see my LinkedIn profile for my most up to date and complete resume, skills, and experience