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“Sheher, Prakriti, Devi”, an exhibition presented by the Ishara Art Foundation until June 1, 2024, unveils a captivating exploration of the interconnected threads binding urban landscapes, the natural world, and the divine.
Curated by the visionary Gauri Gill, this exhibition serves as a mosaic of artistic expressions, weaving together narratives from twelve artists and collectives. This journey, with diverse perspectives encapsulated within dynamic cities, rural retreats, domestic spaces, and the transcendent, highlights the profound interplay of the human experience within the fabric of existence.
The essence of “Sheher, Prakriti, Devi” is encapsulated in its Hindustani names, signifying ‘city’, ‘nature’, and ‘deity’ respectively. Rooted in Gill’s extensive documentation of urban and semi-urban landscapes across India since 2003, under the series ‘Rememory’, the exhibition transcends conventional boundaries, inviting viewers to perceive cities as living entities shaped by a myriad of influences. Through Gill’s lens and in collaboration with fellow practitioners, the show unveils a world where the boundaries between built environments and natural landscapes blur, where historical ruins coexist with migratory birds, and where mundane structures intertwine with spiritual symbolism. “Sheher, Prakriti, Devi” presents an ecosystem where cultural, natural, and spiritual dimensions converge, offering a profound meditation on the interconnectedness of all things.
“Apart from the sheer beauty and multiple truths expressed by the different artists…through this palimpsestic and idiosyncratic exhibition, I wish to acknowledge those who have found ways to stubbornly persist in their practice…completely outside the circuits and networks of professional artists, contemporary art discourse, galleries and markets”, Gill expresses. This gathering of voices, both known and unknown, sheds light on dualistic worlds—depleted yet regenerative, colonial yet indigenous, mundane yet magical—inviting viewers to contemplate the richness of human experience.
“Sheher, Prakriti, Devi” features captivating works by artists such as Chamba Rumal, Chiara Camoni, Ladhki Devi, Mariam Suhail, Meera Mukherjee, Mrinalini Mukherjee, Rashmi Kaleka, Shefalee Jain, Sukanya Ghosh, Vinnie Gill, and Yoshiko Crow. Curated by Gauri Gill in collaboration with Sabih Ahmed, the exhibition reflects the power of art in transcending boundaries and fostering dialogue.
Artworks showcased in “Sheher, Prakriti, Devi” have been graciously loaned from private collections including Anant Art, Akar Prakar, the Pundole Family Collection, the Mrinalini Mukherjee Foundation, and the Ishara Art Foundation, with support from ZEISS Vision and J. Safra Sarasin (Middle East) Ltd., and from Vadehra Art Gallery.
Experience the enchanting realms of “Sheher, Prakriti, Devi” as it unfolds at Ishara Art Foundation—a journey of discovery, reflection, and awe-inspiring beauty of the profound interconnectedness of our world.
