Our Ashram…Santiniketan, a solo exhibition by Kiran Dixit Thacker, will be on view from 2nd to 9th March 2026, 11am–7pm, at the Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre (IHC), Lodi Colony, New Delhi. The presentation brings together more than one hundred works spanning sculpture, drawing and painting, offering an immersive journey through the artist’s decades-long engagement with Santiniketan.
An Oeuvre Rooted in Santiniketan
The exhibition traces Thacker’s lifelong relationship with the landscape, people and rhythms of Santiniketan. Moving fluidly between bronze, mild steel, stone, watercolour and drawing, the body of work reflects both monumentality and intimacy. The weeklong show presents a rare opportunity to witness the breadth of her practice in a single comprehensive display.
The Legacy of Ramkinkar Baij
Kiran Dixit Thacker holds a significant place in Indian art history as the only living female disciple of Ramkinkar Baij. Deeply influenced by Baij and the printmaker Somnath Hore, her work carries forward a tactile, material-driven approach to sculpture. Her figurative sculptures are grounded in geometric form and strong armature, giving structural integrity to expressive surfaces.
Village Life and Sculptural Narratives
Her themes draw from village and tribal life, reflecting resilient optimism and quiet strength. Among the standout works in the exhibition are The Goat, Three Santhal Men, Woman with her Hens Cocks, towering palm trees with peacocks, and bronze works such as Owls, Lovers and Monkeys. Each piece reveals meticulous attention to detail and a tactile command over metal and stone.
From London to Santiniketan
Many of the watercolours, paintings and drawings were created during Thacker’s years in London, where she also taught design and technology, sharpening her metalworking skills. In contrast, the bronze, stone and mild steel sculptures were produced in her Santiniketan studio, grounding the exhibition in both global exposure and local inspiration.
A Dialogue with Metal
Thacker’s relationship with metal forms the core of her artistic exploration. While bronze remains close to her heart, its cost and technical challenges encouraged her to experiment with mild steel, allowing her to be bold yet economical. Heat, handcraft and patience become tools through which stubborn sheets of metal are coaxed into expressive forms inspired by ponds, birds and barefoot walks in Santiniketan.
Event at a Glance
| Aspects | Details |
|---|---|
| Exhibition Title | Our Ashram…Santiniketan |
| Artist | Kiran Dixit Thacker |
| Dates | 2nd – 9th March 2026 |
| Time | 11am – 7pm |
| Venue | Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre, Lodi Colony, New Delhi |
| Mediums | Bronze, mild steel, stone, watercolour, painting, drawing |
| Works on Display | 100+ sculptures, drawings and paintings |
Takeaway
Our Ashram…Santiniketan offers audiences an encounter with an artist who bridges memory, landscape and material intelligence. Through over one hundred works, Kiran Dixit Thacker transforms everyday life into sculptural narratives that are both monumental and deeply personal, reaffirming Santiniketan as a living source of artistic inspiration.
