Portrait artist Shikha Sheoran, who began her professional art journey in 2022 in her 50s, is set to present her first solo exhibition, Zikr, in New Delhi. The show will be held at the India International Centre from Feb 11–17, offering an intimate showcase rooted in remembrance, identity, and human stories.
A Practice Shaped by Observation and Emotional Truth
Known for her pencil and charcoal portraits, Shikha Sheoran has developed a signature human-centred voice that captures fleeting emotions, resilience, and untold narratives. Her work reflects a deep attentiveness to faces and expressions, reading them with the sensitivity of a storyteller.
Early Series “Brokpas” Explored Cultural Identity Through Portraiture
Her artistic evolution began with Brokpas, an instinctive entry into realism that focused on identity and cultural detail. The series was first showcased at AIFACS (2022) and later at Visual Arts Gallery (2023), marking her emergence as a portrait artist engaging with cultural heritage through intimate representation.
Social Narratives Took Form in “Farmers” and “Kashmakash”
Shikha’s later works shifted toward grounded social themes. Farmers, displayed at Lalit Kala Akademi (2024), highlighted resilience and the dignity of everyday labour. In Kashmakash, exhibited at Palm Court, India Habitat Centre (2024), she created silhouettes of women and children reflecting water scarcity and invisible labour through minimalistic yet emotionally weighty forms.
Recognition and Awards Mark a Rapid Artistic Rise
In a short span, Shikha Sheoran has received significant recognition, including a gold medal from the Bundelkhand Society of Art (2024), first prize for her Brokpa portrait from the Asian Literary Society (2023), and a cash award at AIFACS (2025) for her farmer portrait. Beyond accolades, her practice continues to focus on social relevance and emotional honesty.
“Zikr” Brings Overlooked Lives Into Quiet Focus
In Zikr, Shikha honours those often unseen in everyday life—a girl selling toys on the street, a lady cutting grass in the mountains, a chaiwala, or a rickshaw driver. Through the humble medium of pencil, she celebrates quiet lives with dignity and care, offering viewers a space for reflection and remembrance.
Exhibition Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exhibition | Zikr |
| Artist | Shikha Sheoran |
| Venue | India International Centre, New Delhi |
| Dates | Feb 11–17, 2026 |
| Medium | Pencil and charcoal portraits |
| Theme | Remembrance, identity, and hidden human stories |
Conclusion
With Zikr, Shikha Sheoran brings a deeply personal yet socially resonant portrait practice into the spotlight, celebrating lives often overlooked and stories rarely told. Her late-blooming journey, marked by emotional truth and artistic courage, makes this debut solo exhibition at the India International Centre from Feb 11–17, 2026 a significant moment in contemporary Indian portraiture.
