In her Native Tongue Showcases Contemporary Indigenous Voices at Palette Art Gallery Delhi

A new exhibition at Palette Art Gallery will bring together the works of six Indigenous women artists whose practices are rooted in memory, mythology, nature and community traditions. Titled In her Native Tongue, the exhibition will run from 22 October to 21 November 2026 at the gallery’s Golf Links space in New Delhi. Featuring Rita Shyam, Jyoti Uikey, Roshini Shyam, Anita Vyam, Japani Shyam and Santoshi Shyam, the exhibition examines how inherited visual traditions continue to evolve through contemporary artistic expression.

Indigenous Traditions in Contemporary Practice

The exhibition focuses on artists associated with the Gond artistic tradition and related Indigenous visual languages. According to the curatorial text written by critic-curator Georgina Maddox, the participating artists draw from a shared cultural heritage while developing distinct artistic vocabularies of their own. Rather than presenting tradition as static, the exhibition explores how Indigenous knowledge systems continue to adapt and respond to contemporary realities.

Distinct Artistic Approaches

Each artist brings a different perspective to the exhibition. Anita Vyam is known for compositions built around strong lines and interconnected forms, often featuring animals such as goats and deer. Roshini Shyam works with richly coloured compositions in which trees and organic forms occupy the entire pictorial space. Santoshi Shyam combines observational detail with Gond-inspired imagery, particularly in her depictions of birds, plants and vegetation.

Jyoti Uikey’s paintings frequently feature stylised birds rendered in vivid colours and rhythmic patterns. The artist, who comes from Patangarh in Madhya Pradesh, often draws on Gond folklore and the relationship between humans, animals and nature.

Highlights of the Exhibition

• Works inspired by mythology, folklore and community memory
• Contemporary interpretations of Gond visual traditions
• Paintings featuring birds, trees, animals and ecological themes
• Diverse approaches ranging from detailed patterning to abstraction
• Perspectives shaped by Indigenous women artists from central India

Women Artists and Cultural Continuity

A key aspect of In her Native Tongue is its focus on women artists and the transmission of artistic knowledge across generations. The exhibition text notes that many of the artists learned by observing family members, particularly mothers and elders, before developing their own practices. Their works reflect both continuity and innovation, combining traditional motifs with contemporary visual approaches.

Historically, many Indigenous painting traditions in central India were sustained within domestic and community spaces. The exhibition highlights how women artists have increasingly gained visibility within contemporary art platforms while continuing to engage with local cultural narratives.

About the Gallery and Curatorial Context

Founded in 2001 by fashion designers Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna, Palette Art Gallery has established itself as a platform for contemporary Indian art, supporting both emerging and established artists. Located in New Delhi’s Golf Links area, the gallery has hosted a range of exhibitions that engage with evolving artistic practices in India.

The exhibition text has been written by critic and curator Georgina Maddox, whose work over two decades has focused on Indian art, culture and curatorial practice.

Visitor Information

Takeaway

By bringing together six Indigenous women artists, In her Native Tongue offers an opportunity to examine how traditional knowledge continues to inform contemporary artistic practice. The exhibition highlights individual voices while underscoring shared cultural histories rooted in the Gond region. Through themes of nature, memory and storytelling, the exhibition contributes to broader conversations around Indigenous representation and the evolving role of women artists in India’s contemporary art landscape.