Exhibit320 will present MOOL, a major group exhibition curated by Shaleen Wadhwana, at Bikaner House, New Delhi, from 6 August to 13 August 2026, with a preview on 5 August 2026. Bringing together twenty artists from across South Asia, the exhibition examines how family histories, personal archives and shared cultural traditions shape ideas of home and belonging. Working across painting, photography, sculpture, textiles, ceramics, printmaking, embroidery, installation and archival material, the participating artists collectively explore cultural memory through diverse artistic practices.
An Exhibition Rooted in Shared Histories
The exhibition traces its origins to a conversation between artists Mahwish Chishty and Gunjan Chawla Kumar in 2016 about ancestry, migration and life before modern national borders. Their travels to archaeological sites including Taxila, Harappa, Mohenjodaro, Dholavira, Lothal and Rakhigarhi led to The Sindhu Project, an artistic collaboration inspired by the Indus Valley Civilisation and the Sindhu River. Works from that project, previously exhibited separately in India and Pakistan, are reunited in MOOL, where they become part of a broader dialogue involving eighteen additional South Asian artists.
Four Themes Explore the Meaning of Home
Rather than presenting a single narrative, MOOL is organised around four thematic sections that examine belonging from multiple perspectives:
- Family Inherited & Chosen explores family archives, photographs and memories.
- Emotional Cartography considers landscapes, rivers and borders as carriers of history.
- The Body and its Object Biographies investigates memory through everyday objects and material culture.
- Home in Script reflects on language, writing and the many meanings of the word “Mool” across South Asian languages.
Together, these themes encourage visitors to reflect on how personal histories intersect with wider regional narratives.
Personal Archives Take Centre Stage
One of the exhibition’s defining features is the inclusion of personal artefacts from each participating artist’s family. Many of these objects are being displayed publicly for the first time, extending the exhibition beyond contemporary artworks into intimate records of migration, inheritance, community and identity.
According to curator Shaleen Wadhwana, these family objects form the “heartbeat” of the exhibition by inviting viewers to ask what truly creates a sense of home. The exhibition therefore positions personal archives alongside artistic practice as equally significant cultural records of South Asia.
A Regional Dialogue Across Generations
MOOL brings together artists from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, among other South Asian contexts, creating an intergenerational conversation on shared histories despite contemporary political boundaries. Participating artists include Nilima Sheikh, Reena Saini Kallat, Zarina, Tayeba Begum Lipi, Mahwish Chishty, Gunjan Chawla Kumar, Ashfika Rahman, Ashmina Ranjit and several other established and emerging practitioners.
The exhibition highlights how themes such as migration, language, ecology, gender, memory and cultural inheritance continue to influence contemporary artistic practice across the region. Rather than presenting a unified history, the exhibition acknowledges multiple perspectives and lived experiences that collectively shape South Asia’s cultural landscape.
Exhibit320 Marks Another Major Curatorial Project
Founded in 2010 by Rasika Kajaria, Exhibit320 has established itself as one of New Delhi’s prominent contemporary art galleries, presenting interdisciplinary practices while participating in leading art fairs including India Art Fair, Art Dubai and Art Basel. Celebrating fifteen years of programming, the gallery continues its emphasis on concept-driven exhibitions that encourage critical engagement with contemporary issues. MOOL reflects this curatorial approach by combining historical inquiry with contemporary artistic practice in a public setting at Bikaner House.
Exhibition Highlights
- 20 contemporary South Asian artists
- Curated by Shaleen Wadhwana
- Reunion of works from The Sindhu Project
- Personal family artefacts displayed publicly for the first time
- Four thematic sections exploring belonging and identity
- Works across painting, sculpture, photography, textiles, ceramics, installation and archival media
Event at a Glance
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Name | MOOL |
| Curator | Shaleen Wadhwana |
| Presented By | Exhibit320 |
| Venue | Bikaner House, New Delhi – 110003 |
| City | New Delhi |
| Preview | Wednesday, 5 August 2026 | 5:00 PM onwards |
| Exhibition Dates | 6 August – 13 August 2026 |
| Timings | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Open Daily |
| Participating Artists | 20 South Asian contemporary artists including Nilima Sheikh, Reena Saini Kallat, Zarina, Mahwish Chishty, Gunjan Chawla Kumar and others. |
| Special Programme | Curatorial walkthrough, live Baithak by Upstairs and Listening Library |
| Entry | Open to the public (no ticket information specified) |
| Website | https://www.exhibit320.com |
About the Curator
Shaleen Wadhwana is an independent art historian, curator and writer based in New Delhi. Her research focuses on South Asian history, heritage and contemporary visual culture. She has previously curated The Sindhu Project: Enigma of Rootsat Exhibit320 and The Second Responder at Chemould Prescott Road. She also represents South Asia at KADIST, an international contemporary art organisation, and is currently involved in the India–Australia Curatorial Exchange (MAITRI Project) as part of the Indian Ocean Craft Triennial (2025–2027).
About Exhibit320
Established in 2010 by Rasika Kajaria, Exhibit320 is a contemporary art gallery based in New Delhi’s Lado Sarai district. The gallery presents interdisciplinary exhibitions and works with both established and emerging artists from South Asia. It is a founding member of Delhi Contemporary Art Week and regularly participates in major art events including India Art Fair, Art Mumbai and Art Dubai. Celebrating fifteen years of programming, the gallery continues to focus on concept-driven exhibitions that encourage critical engagement with contemporary art.
Takaway
By bringing together artists from across South Asia, MOOL offers a thoughtful examination of how memory, migration, language and inherited histories continue to shape contemporary identities. Rather than presenting a single narrative, the exhibition encourages visitors to reflect on multiple experiences of belonging through artworks and personal archives. Through its interdisciplinary approach and regional dialogue, MOOL contributes to ongoing conversations around cultural heritage, shared histories and the evolving role of contemporary art in South Asia.
