British Artist Stuart Robertson to Unveil “Through The Artist’s Eye” in New Delhi

An upcoming exhibition titled Through The Artist’s Eye will open at the Bikaner House Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA), New Delhi, on 27 April 2026. Featuring British artist Stuart Robertson, the exhibition presents works created during an 18-month residency at Dr Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital. The show runs until 3 May 2026 and explores themes of sight, care, and human connection.

A Residency Rooted in Observation

The exhibition emerges from Robertson’s extended engagement within Dr Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital in Daryaganj. Invited after donating proceeds from his artwork to the institution, the artist spent significant time observing daily hospital life. This immersion offered access to spaces and routines rarely visible to the public, shaping the foundation of the works presented.

Exploring the Theme of Sight

At the centre of the exhibition is the concept of vision. While the hospital restores sight through medical expertise, Robertson approaches vision as an act of attention and perception. His work reflects the parallel roles of surgeon and artist—one repairing the eye, the other interpreting what is seen—creating a dialogue between science and artistic practice.

Range of Works on Display

The exhibition includes a wide range of mediums, reflecting the breadth of Robertson’s practice.

Highlights of the exhibition include:

• Photography, largely monochromatic, capturing candid human moments
• On-site drawings developed through direct observation
• Bronze sculptures exploring human form and presence
• Cyanotypes created using sunlight, linking light and vision

Together, these works present a layered exploration of both physical and metaphorical sight.

Portrait of a Living Institution

Robertson’s work portrays the hospital as a dynamic system sustained by multiple roles. Surgeons, nurses, trainees, and support staff are depicted not individually but as interconnected contributors to a shared purpose. The exhibition highlights how compassion, discipline, and coordination sustain both vision and dignity within the institution.

Context Within the City

Located in Daryaganj near Old Delhi and Chandni Chowk, the hospital’s surroundings also inform the exhibition. Robertson extends his observation beyond the hospital walls, capturing scenes from nearby streets that echo the rhythms and realities of the clinic. This connection situated the institution within a broader urban and cultural context.

Artist Background

Stuart Robertson is a London-based artist educated at Wimbledon School of Art, with a career spanning several decades. He previously lived in New Delhi for ten years and worked with The Times of India. His practice moves between figuration and abstraction and often centres on human experience and observation. His long-standing connection with India continues to inform his work.

Public Engagement and Relevance

The exhibition is presented as one of the first projects in Delhi to embed an artist within a working charitable hospital. It also aims to raise awareness about blindness and eye diseases, offering visitors insight into both medical and human aspects of care. Accompanying the exhibition is Robertson’s blog, Art of Sevā, which expands the conversation through contributions from medical professionals and writers.

Exhibition at a Glance

Takeaway

Through The Artist’s Eye offers a reflective exploration of vision beyond its medical definition, focusing on attention, empathy, and shared human experience. By situating art within the context of a working hospital, the exhibition connects creative practice with social awareness. It presents a nuanced perspective on care, encouraging viewers to engage more thoughtfully with both art and everyday acts of service.