Akar Prakar will inaugurate its new gallery space in New Delhi on 21 August 2026 with Becoming, a group exhibition curated by Siddhi Shailendra. Bringing together works by C. Douglas, Debasish Mukherjee, Ganesh Haloi, Jayashree Chakravarty, Leang Seckon and Manish Pushkale, the exhibition will run until 17 September 2026 at the gallery’s new address in Defence Colony. The exhibition examines artistic evolution as a continuing process of transformation and reflects the gallery’s own transition into a new phase.
A New Chapter for Akar Prakar
Founded in 2004 by Reena Lath and Abhijit Lath, Akar Prakar has developed a reputation for presenting modern and contemporary art from South Asia through exhibitions, publications and research initiatives. The gallery operates from New Delhi and Kolkata and has expanded its engagement with artists and cultural histories across South and Southeast Asia.
Visitors can learn more about the gallery through the official website: Akar Prakar. The gallery has previously organised exhibitions featuring artists such as Ganesh Haloi, Manish Pushkale and Debasish Mukherjee, reflecting its long-standing commitment to modern and contemporary artistic practices.
Exploring the Idea of Becoming
According to the organisers, Becoming considers artistic practice not as a fixed achievement but as a process shaped by memory, experience, experimentation and time. The exhibition moves across themes including abstraction, ecology, landscape, architecture and history, bringing together artists whose practices have evolved over several decades. Rather than presenting a single narrative, the exhibition encourages visitors to encounter multiple perspectives on change and continuity.
Featured Artists
- C. Douglas
- Debasish Mukherjee
- Ganesh Haloi
- Jayashree Chakravarty
- Leang Seckon
- Manish Pushkale
Artists Across Generations and Geographies
The participating artists represent diverse artistic trajectories. Ganesh Haloi, one of India’s most respected abstractionists, is known for lyrical landscapes shaped by memories of displacement following Partition. Jayashree Chakravarty’s large-scale works and installations often engage with ecology, migration and environmental change. Cambodian artist Leang Seckon incorporates personal and collective histories into his layered visual narratives, while Manish Pushkale’s abstract paintings draw upon archaeology, geology and philosophical reflection.
Debasish Mukherjee’s practice examines memory, architecture and the preservation of everyday histories, while C. Douglas remains associated with the legacy of the Madras Art Movement and experiments with abstraction and materiality.
The New Gallery Design
The new gallery space has been designed by architect Ashish Karode and his team at Design Atelier. Karode describes the venue as a flexible environment capable of accommodating a range of exhibitions, from historical works to contemporary installations, sculpture and moving-image practices. The design uses a restrained material palette and museum-grade lighting to maintain focus on the artworks while encouraging close engagement from visitors.
Founders on the Gallery’s Future
Reena Lath and Abhijit Lath describe the move as part of a broader effort to support both established and emerging artistic voices. They noted that the new gallery and refreshed identity are intended to create space for younger practices while maintaining the gallery’s connection to three generations of art collecting and scholarship.
Key Highlights
- Inaugural exhibition for Akar Prakar’s new New Delhi gallery
- Curated by Siddhi Shailendra
- Six artists from India and Cambodia
- Themes of transformation, memory, landscape and artistic growth
- Newly designed exhibition space by Design Atelier
Visitor Information
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Becoming |
| Curator | Siddhi Shailendra |
| Venue | Akar Prakar, B-74, Second Floor, Defence Colony, New Delhi 110024 |
| Opening Date | 21 August 2026 |
| Exhibition Dates | 21 August – 17 September 2026 |
| Organiser | Akar Prakar |
Takeaway
With Becoming, Akar Prakar links the opening of a new gallery space to a broader reflection on artistic development and cultural continuity. By bringing together artists whose practices span generations, regions and artistic approaches, the exhibition offers audiences an opportunity to consider how art evolves through time, experience and dialogue. The project also signals the gallery’s continued role in fostering conversations around modern and contemporary art in South Asia and beyond.
