Art Alive Gallery to present A Star Amongst Too Many, a solo exhibition by artist Chandra Bhattacharjee, at Shridharani Art Gallery in New Delhi from 19 to 24 July 2026. A preview will be held on 18 July from 5 pm to 8 pm, with the exhibition open daily between 11 am and 8 pm. The exhibition brings together a new body of work centred on people and objects that often remain unnoticed in everyday urban life, inviting viewers to reflect on visibility, empathy and shared human experience.
Monumental Charcoal Drawings Foreground Overlooked Lives
The exhibition’s central works are a series of monumental charcoal drawings inspired by Bhattacharjee’s long observation of street dwellers, daily wage workers and familiar neighbourhood figures. Rather than portraying anonymous crowds, the artist presents carefully observed individuals whose lives unfold quietly within the city’s landscape.
Rendered on a larger-than-life scale, the drawings encourage visitors to look beyond routine urban encounters and consider the dignity and resilience of people who frequently remain unseen despite shaping the rhythm of city life. The monochromatic treatment reinforces the emotional weight of these portraits while allowing subtle gestures and expressions to emerge with clarity.
Watercolours Extend the Exhibition’s Central Theme
Alongside the charcoal works, the exhibition features a collection of delicate watercolours depicting ordinary everyday objects. These paintings continue Bhattacharjee’s interest in subjects that are often overlooked, shifting attention from people to familiar possessions and commonplace items.
Together, the two series create a dialogue about presence, memory and the value society assigns to people and objects that rarely command attention. The exhibition explores how familiarity can lead to invisibility and asks viewers to reconsider what they choose to notice.
Exhibition Highlights
- Monumental charcoal portraits of urban residents
- Watercolour paintings of everyday objects
- Exploration of visibility, memory and social empathy
- New body of work focusing on overlooked aspects of city life
Chandra Bhattacharjee’s Evolving Artistic Practice
Based in Kolkata, Chandra Bhattacharjee has built a distinguished career spanning several decades. A graduate of the Indian College of Art and Draughtsmanship, he has presented numerous solo exhibitions in India and abroad. His practice has evolved from expressive painting to expansive works on paper that investigate memory, landscape and human experience. In recent years, his exhibitions have increasingly examined people living on the margins of urban society through powerful figurative compositions.
Art Alive Gallery Marks 25 Years
The exhibition coincides with the 25th anniversary of Art Alive Gallery, one of New Delhi’s leading contemporary art galleries. Since its establishment, the gallery has presented modern and contemporary Indian artists through exhibitions, publications and international collaborations, supporting both established and emerging practices. According to the gallery, A Star Amongst Too Many reflects its continued interest in presenting socially engaged contemporary art that responds to lived realities.
Following its presentation at Shridharani Art Gallery, the exhibition will travel to Art Alive Gallery, where it will be on view from 1 to 20 August 2026.
Visitor Information
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Name | A Star Amongst Too Many |
| Artist | Chandra Bhattacharjee |
| Venue | Shridharani Art Gallery, 205, Tansen Marg, Todermal Road Area, Mandi House |
| City | New Delhi (Google Map) |
| Preview | 18 July 2026, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm |
| Exhibition Dates | 19–24 July 2026 |
| Organiser | Art Alive Gallery |
| Timings | Daily, 11:00 am – 8:00 pm |
| Website | https://www.artalivegallery.com |
For more information, visit Art Alive Gallery. Details about the artist’s practice are available on Chandra Bhattacharjee’s official website. Updates on the exhibition can also be found via Art Alive Gallery’s Instagram.
Conclusion
A Star Amongst Too Many brings attention to lives and objects that often remain outside the centre of public attention. Through large-scale charcoal portraits and intimate watercolours, Chandra Bhattacharjee encourages audiences to reconsider familiar surroundings with greater care and sensitivity. As Art Alive Gallery celebrates its 25th anniversary, the exhibition offers a thoughtful reflection on empathy, memory and the social role of contemporary art.
