New Delhi: Mirrors: Distance Between Worlds, a dual exhibition featuring diaspora artists Shana Sood and Yolanda Peña Mazzoni, will be presented at Bikaner House in New Delhi from 23 to 29 July 2026. Curated by New Delhi-based arts writer and curator Georgina Maddox, the exhibition examines migration, identity, memory, and belonging through realist paintings shaped by experiences across India, Cuba, Spain, and the United States. The opening evening is scheduled for 23 July, while an artist–curator interaction will take place on 24 July at 5:00 PM.
A Dialogue Across Cultures
Although raised in different parts of the world, Sood and Mazzoni find common ground in their artistic exploration of diaspora and cultural memory. The exhibition presents their individual visual languages in conversation, revealing both contrasts and shared emotional experiences.
According to the artists, the exhibition explores cultural distances not only between countries but also between generations and personal identities. Through portraiture and figurative realism, both artists reflect on how migration shapes memory and belonging.
Exploring Identity Through Painting
Shana Sood, who was born and raised in New Delhi before moving to the United States in 2005, draws inspiration from Indian traditions and the emotional experience of living between two homes. Her paintings often feature women dressed in traditional attire, rendered in oil on canvas with careful attention to realism.
Sood describes her work as an attempt to reconcile the realities of life in the United States with vivid memories of India. Colour plays an important role in her practice, particularly deep reds that evoke cultural memory, passion, and continuity. A self-taught artist, she has exhibited widely across New England in the United States and previously presented her solo exhibition Homecoming at Bikaner House in 2025.
A Meditation on Connection
Yolanda Peña Mazzoni approaches similar themes from a different cultural background. With family roots in Cuba and Spain, her recent body of work reflects on relationships between people, places, ideas, and communities.
Originally trained in interior architecture, Mazzoni studied at the New England School of Art and Design before furthering her artistic education at the Rhode Island School of Design and The Art Students League of New York. She currently serves as Managing Director of Client Services at Artists for Humanity while maintaining an active painting practice. Her work has been exhibited at galleries including Imago Foundation for the Arts, Galatea Gallery, Patriots Place Art Gallery, and Zullo Gallery.
Exhibition Highlights
Visitors can expect:
- Realist paintings exploring migration and diaspora.
- Portraits reflecting womanhood, memory, and cultural identity.
- Visual conversations connecting Indian, Cuban, Spanish, and American experiences.
- Distinct artistic practices presented within a shared curatorial framework.
Artist-curator Interaction
An artist–curator conversation on 24 July 2026 at 5:00 PM will offer visitors an opportunity to hear directly from the artists alongside curator Georgina Maddox. The discussion will focus on artistic processes, personal histories, and the ideas behind the exhibition.
Event Information
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Mirrors: Distance Between Worlds |
| Artists | Shana Sood and Yolanda Peña Mazzoni |
| Venue | Bikaner House, Pandara Road, near India Gate |
| City | New Delhi. (Open Google Map) |
| Opening Date | 23 July 2026 |
| Exhibition Dates | 23–29 July 2026 |
| Timings | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Curator | Georgina Maddox |
| Artist–Curator Interaction | 24 July 2026, 5:00 PM onwards |
| Entry | Open to visitors (no ticket information announced) |
| Website | https://bikanerhouse.rajasthan.gov.in/ |
Bikaner House has established itself as one of New Delhi’s leading public venues for contemporary art, regularly hosting exhibitions by emerging and established artists from across India and abroad. The venue has increasingly presented exhibitions examining identity, memory, and cross-cultural narratives, making it an appropriate setting for this dialogue between two diaspora artists.
Final Thoughts
Mirrors: Distance Between Worlds presents two distinct artistic voices connected through shared questions of identity, migration, and belonging. By bringing together experiences rooted in India, Cuba, Spain, and the United States, the exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to reflect on how personal histories shape contemporary artistic practice. Beyond individual narratives, the exhibition contributes to wider conversations about cultural exchange and the evolving meaning of home in an increasingly interconnected world.
