A new group exhibition titled The Anatomy of Wonder will open at Anant Art in New Delhi on 10 September 2026, bringing together the works of Aditya Puthur, Anikesa Dhing, Dhiraj Rabha, Tito Stanley S.J. and Laxmipriya Panigrahi. The exhibition explores dreams, mythology, memory and the subconscious through a range of visual languages, examining how surrealist approaches continue to evolve in contemporary artistic practice.
Revisiting Surrealism Through Contemporary Contexts
According to the exhibition statement, The Anatomy of Wonder looks at the legacy of Surrealism beyond its European origins and considers how artists today engage with imagination, irrationality and subjective experience. Drawing on painting, drawing, installation and mixed media, the exhibition presents works that challenge linear narratives and invite viewers to engage intuitively with layered emotional and cultural realities.
The exhibition references the historical roots of Surrealism, particularly the movement’s engagement with dreams and the unconscious following the upheavals of the First World War. In this contemporary iteration, those ideas are reconsidered through personal histories, folklore, ecological concerns and questions of identity.
Five Artists, Distinct Visual Languages
The exhibition brings together five artists whose practices approach wonder and imagination from different perspectives.
Featured artists include:
- Aditya Puthur, whose work investigates the human body through intersections of art, medicine and biology.
- Anikesa Dhing, known for paintings that examine everyday objects through vibrant and surreal visual narratives.
- Dhiraj Rabha, whose interdisciplinary practice engages with memory, identity and community histories.
- Laxmipriya Panigrahi, recognised for miniature-inspired landscapes influenced by Odisha’s artistic traditions.
- Tito Stanley S.J., whose allegorical paintings draw upon experiences of migration, belonging and cultural memory.
Collectively, their works create what the gallery describes as alternate worlds where fantasy, memory and speculation intersect.
Wonder as a Method of Inquiry
Mamta Singhania, Founder-Director of Anant Art, describes the exhibition as an invitation to observe the world from a position of wonder. The participating artists, she notes, present works shaped through the development of personal visual vocabularies that engage with memory, myth, fantasy and emotion.
The exhibition arrives at a moment when issues such as ecological uncertainty, displacement, digital saturation and fragmented identities continue to influence artistic production. Within this context, the exhibition proposes imagination not as an escape from reality but as a means of understanding and responding to it.
About Anant Art
Founded in 2003 by Mamta Singhania, Anant Art has established itself as a platform for contemporary South Asian art through exhibitions, publications, residencies and public programmes. The gallery supports both established and emerging artists and has expanded its activities through initiatives such as Studio Catalyst and the Anant Foundation for the Arts. The organisation continues to focus on long-term artistic development and public engagement within contemporary art discourse.
Additional information available through the gallery’s official platforms highlights its ongoing commitment to presenting conceptually driven contemporary practices and fostering dialogue between artists, institutions and audiences.
Exhibition Details
| Event | Details |
| Title | The Anatomy of Wonder |
| Nature | Group Exhibition |
| Artists | Aditya Puthur, Anikesa Dhing, Dhiraj Rabha, Tito Stanley S.J. and Laxmipriya Panigrahi |
| Venue | Anant Art, B-5/3, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi, India |
| Opening Date | 9 September 2026 (Preview) |
| Exhibition Dates | 10 September – 31 October 2026 |
| Organiser | Anant Art |
| Entry / Tickets | Preview by invitation only; public viewing during gallery hours |
| Website | https://www.anantart.com |
Conclusion
By bringing together five emerging and mid-career artists, The Anatomy of Wonder explores how imagination continues to function as a critical artistic tool in contemporary society. Through works shaped by memory, mythology, personal histories and speculative thinking, the exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to reflect on alternative ways of seeing and understanding the world. In doing so, it contributes to ongoing conversations about the role of art in navigating cultural, social and emotional realities.
