Sanika Phawde

Sanika Phawde is a Visiting Lecturer in the Department of Illustration at Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt). She is an illustrator, educator, cartoonist, and reportage artist based in Boston, originally from India. Her work explores emotional connections and conversations over meals through comics and visual narratives.

• MFA in Illustration as Visual Essay, School of Visual Arts, NY (2021)
• BFA in Illustration, Parsons School of Design, NY (2019)

Sanika's creative practice centers on illustration, comics, and visual storytelling, with a focus on personal and cultural narratives. Her work bridges art and documentation, often capturing intimate human interactions through a reportage lens. She is deeply engaged in art education, having taught at Parsons and RISD, and has been invited as a guest speaker at institutions like SVA and Rutgers University.

The breadth of her recent publications shows a strong trend in editorial illustration, independent publishing, and cultural commentary. Her work appears in prestigious outlets such as The New Yorker, Food & Wine Magazine, and American Illustration, reflecting expertise in narrative drawing, visual journalism, and thematic exploration of food, emotion, and identity.

Selected Awards and Honors:

• ADC Young Ones Portfolio Award (2021)
• D&AD New Blood Portfolio Award (2021)
• Paula Rhodes Memorial Award for Exceptional Achievement in Master’s Program (2021)
• MoCCA Arts Festival Awards of Excellence (2021)
• SVA Alumni Scholarship Award (2021)

Sanika has advised through teaching roles at leading art institutions and has contributed to creative discourse through exhibitions and media features. Her work is part of the permanent zine collection at the Frick Fine Arts Library. She is actively involved in the illustration community through exhibitions and collaborations with global clients including Spotify, The New Yorker, and Accenture.

Sanika is associated with creative collectives and exhibition spaces such as Printed Matter NY, MoCCA Arts Festival, and Carousel NY. Her practice integrates studio work, public engagement, and educational outreach, positioning her at the intersection of art, storytelling, and cultural documentation.