Kalakaar Art Salon will present Performing Belief, a group exhibition curated by Rahul Kumar, from 13 August to 30 September 2026 at its gallery in Defence Colony, New Delhi. Bringing together works by 22 artists spanning modern, folk, tribal and contemporary practices, the exhibition explores ritual not only as a religious act but also as a cultural framework expressed through memory, repetition, labour, devotion and material practice. The exhibition marks the first presentation under the salon’s renewed curatorial direction and reflects its commitment to research-led exhibitions that connect historical and contemporary artistic practices.

Ritual as an Evolving Cultural Practice

Rather than presenting ritual through familiar religious imagery, Performing Belief examines how repeated gestures, inherited traditions and everyday practices shape individual and collective identities. The exhibition proposes that ritual is constantly reinterpreted across generations, responding to changing social, political and ecological realities. According to the curatorial framework, artistic practice itself can be understood as ritual, where repeated engagement with materials, symbols and processes becomes a way of negotiating memory and cultural continuity.

Bringing Together Generations of Indian Artists

The exhibition features works by some of India’s most significant modern masters alongside established and emerging contemporary practitioners. Artists including S. H. Raza, F. N. Souza, M. F. Husain, Sohan Qadri, G. R. Santosh, Jamini Roy and Haku Shah are presented in dialogue with contemporary voices whose practices examine migration, ecology, gender, urbanisation and lived experience.

Among the participating artists are:

Together, these artists demonstrate how inherited visual traditions continue to evolve through contemporary artistic practices.

Modernism Meets Contemporary Practice

The exhibition traces how Indian modernists sought a distinctly Indian visual language by engaging with mythology, tantric philosophy, folk traditions and collective memory. Rather than treating tradition as fixed, these artists transformed inherited forms into new artistic vocabularies that reflected a rapidly changing nation.

Contemporary practitioners extend these conversations by examining ritual through present-day concerns including environmental change, migration, identity and embodied experience. Working across painting, photography, installation and interdisciplinary practices, they reconsider inherited cultural forms while questioning their continued relevance in an increasingly globalised world.

Material, Memory and Making

A central theme of Performing Belief is the relationship between material and memory. The exhibition highlights how materials such as pigment, cloth, paper, earth, thread and wood carry cultural histories through repeated acts of making. Rather than separating artistic production from everyday life, the exhibition suggests that creative practice shares common ground with domestic labour, craft traditions, agricultural cycles and devotional rituals.

Highlights of the exhibition include:

• Modern, folk, tribal and contemporary artworks presented together
• Research-led curatorial framework exploring ritual as cultural practice
• Dialogues between historical and contemporary artistic traditions
• Works addressing ecology, migration, memory and identity
• A multidisciplinary presentation spanning painting and contemporary media

A New Curatorial Direction for Kalakaar Art Salon

Performing Belief also marks an important milestone for Kalakaar Art Salon. The exhibition inaugurates the gallery’s renewed curatorial programme, which aims to foster meaningful dialogue between India’s artistic past and present through carefully researched exhibitions. Curated by Rahul Kumar, the project positions the salon as a space where historical narratives and contemporary artistic practices can be examined together rather than as separate histories.

Visitor Information

The exhibition will be open from 13 August to 30 September 2026 at Kalakaar Art Salon, D-64, Second Floor, Defence Colony, New Delhi, from Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Takeaway

By bringing together artists from different generations and artistic traditions, Performing Belief offers visitors an opportunity to reconsider ritual as a living cultural process rather than a fixed tradition. Through its exploration of memory, materiality and artistic practice, the exhibition encourages broader conversations about cultural continuity, identity and the ways art continues to reinterpret inherited knowledge within contemporary society.

Sameksha, the contemporary art gallery housed within Sanatan: IILM Centre for Arts & Ideas in New Delhi, will mark its first anniversary with Close | Far: Lean In, Step Back, a group exhibition curated by Yamini Telkar. Previewing on 7 August 2026 and opening to the public from 8 August to 12 September 2026, the exhibition brings together works by artists Kavita Nayyar, Vanita Gupta, Savya Jain and Aman Kumar Bavaria. Developed through an extended dialogue between the curator and participating artists, the exhibition examines how scale influences perception, intimacy and the experience of contemporary art.

A Shared Inquiry into Contemporary Artistic Practice

Rather than presenting a fixed interpretation of contemporary art, the exhibition approaches scale as an evolving framework through which viewers experience artworks. The title, Close | Far: Lean In, Step Back, reflects the physical and conceptual shifts involved in viewing art. Visitors are encouraged to observe minute details before stepping back to consider larger forms and relationships, highlighting how meaning changes according to distance, attention and perspective.

Curator Yamini Telkar explains that the exhibition emerged from sustained conversations with the artists rather than from a predetermined curatorial concept. By treating scale as both a visual language and a method of artistic inquiry, the exhibition invites audiences to consider how artworks create emotional and intellectual engagement beyond their physical dimensions.

Four Artists offer Distinct Perspectives

Although united by the central theme of scale, each participating artist explores it through a distinct visual vocabulary.

Highlights of the exhibition include:

• Kavita Nayyar explores rhythm, repetition, colour and materiality through layered compositions.
• Vanita Gupta presents restrained works that reward close observation and careful viewing.
• Savya Jain combines figuration and abstraction to create contemplative spaces where memory and perception intersect.
• Aman Kumar Bavaria investigates structure, gesture and materiality, challenging conventional relationships between objects, viewers and exhibition space.

Together, the four practices create multiple ways of understanding how physical distance shapes emotional response and visual interpretation.

Historical References Inform Contemporary Conversations

The exhibition also places contemporary artistic practice within a broader historical context. It references the intimate Himalayan landscapes of Bireswar Sen alongside Claude Monet’s expansive Water Lilies series to demonstrate how artists across different periods have used scale to influence perception and emotional experience.

Rather than drawing direct comparisons, these historical examples provide a framework for understanding how contemporary artists continue to negotiate questions of intimacy, monumentality and spatial experience. The exhibition positions scale not simply as a formal quality but as an active participant in the dialogue between artwork and audience.

Sameksha Continues to Expand its Cultural Programme

The exhibition also celebrates the completion of Sameksha Gallery’s first year of programming. Since its inauguration, the gallery has presented seven exhibitions while developing a broader cultural platform that includes artist talks, workshops, book launches, performances and the Young Artist Mentorship Lab. Operating within Sanatan: IILM Centre for Arts & Ideas, Sameksha has sought to support emerging and mid-career artists while encouraging public engagement with contemporary artistic practice.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, visitors can also attend a series of public programmes, including:

• A book discussion with Neeraj Batra
• A screening of The Coral Woman, followed by a conversation with filmmaker Priya Thuvassery
• An art appreciation talk hosted by the gallery

These events extend the exhibition’s themes beyond the gallery space and encourage broader conversations around art, education and cultural participation.

Visitor Information

Takeaway

Marking both an anniversary and a new chapter in Sameksha’s journey, Close | Far: Lean In, Step Back brings together four distinct artistic voices to examine how viewers experience contemporary art through changing perspectives. By combining thoughtful curatorial inquiry with public programmes and educational engagement, the exhibition reinforces the gallery’s commitment to fostering dialogue between artists, audiences and the wider cultural community. It offers visitors an opportunity to reflect on how perception itself becomes part of the artistic experience.

Chawla Art Gallery will present Continuum: A 30-Year Retrospective, a major solo exhibition by contemporary Indian artist Asit Kumar Patnaik, from 21 to 25 August 2026 at LTC Gallery, Bikaner House, New Delhi, before the exhibition continues at Chawla Art Gallery, Saket, from 26 August to 30 September 2026. Curated by Shibani Chawla, the exhibition traces three decades of Patnaik’s artistic practice through approximately 50 works created between 1995 and 2026, including several previously unseen paintings and works on paper.

A Retrospective Spanning Three Decades of Experimentation

The exhibition brings together sketches, drawings, watercolours, graphic prints, landscapes, abstract compositions and paintings, presenting an overview of Patnaik’s evolving visual language. Visitors will encounter works produced during different phases of his career, reflecting his continuous engagement with experimentation across media including canvas, paper, wood, fibreglass, collage and thread.

A defining aspect of Patnaik’s work is his exploration of texture. What began in his early paper works and sketches gradually developed into one of the most recognisable elements of his paintings, creating richly layered surfaces that complement his figurative compositions.

Exhibition Highlights

• Around 50 artworks created between 1995 and 2026
• Previously unseen paintings and works on paper
• Sketches, drawings, watercolours and graphic prints
• Mixed-media works exploring diverse materials and textures
• A comprehensive survey of the artist’s 30-year practice

Human Relationships Remain Central to the Artist’s Practice

Originally from Odisha, Asit Kumar Patnaik is known for his semi-realistic figurative paintings that examine human emotions and interpersonal relationships. His long-running Man-Woman series explores themes including companionship, affection, attraction, conflict and emotional distance, often placing male and female figures in carefully balanced compositions.

Another recurring visual element is the flowing red hair that appears in many of his female figures. Throughout the exhibition, this motif functions as a symbol of vitality, strength, passion and femininity, reinforcing the artist’s continuing engagement with the theme of women’s empowerment. Rather than presenting figures through conventional hierarchies, Patnaik portrays women as resilient central protagonists while male figures are depicted with sensitivity and mutual respect.

Patnaik, a Gold Medalist in Painting from Banaras Hindu University, has participated in more than 100 group exhibitions and over 25 solo exhibitions in India and internationally. His works are part of important public and private collections, and he received the Best Solo Exhibitor Award at Art Expo New York in 2024.

Long Association with Chawla Art Gallery

Curator Shibani Chawla notes that the gallery has worked with Patnaik for nearly three decades, witnessing the steady development of his artistic language while observing a consistent philosophical approach underpinning his work. According to the curator, the retrospective provides an opportunity to understand how figuration and abstraction coexist within Patnaik’s practice, with the feminine form remaining a recurring symbol of resilience and introspection.

Established by D.V. Chawla and active in promoting Indian modern and contemporary art since 1967, Chawla Art Gallery has presented exhibitions by several leading Indian artists while maintaining long-term relationships with many contemporary practitioners.

Artist Reflects on Three Decades of Creative Evolution

Speaking about the exhibition, Patnaik describes the retrospective as a record of continuous learning, experimentation and artistic growth. The exhibition begins with sketches and drawings produced during his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts studies before moving through successive phases of his career to his latest paintings.

While his techniques and materials have evolved over time, the artist says his interest in understanding human relationships and emotions has remained constant, encouraging viewers to interpret the works through their own personal experiences.

Visitor Information

For more information, visit the Chawla Art Gallery or explore the artist’s profile on the Asit Kumar Patnaik page.

Takeaway

Continuum: A 30-Year Retrospective offers audiences an opportunity to revisit the sustained artistic journey of Asit Kumar Patnaik through works that reflect changing techniques while remaining rooted in enduring themes of human relationships and identity. By presenting works spanning three decades, the exhibition contributes to a broader understanding of contemporary Indian art and highlights the value of retrospectives in documenting an artist’s evolving creative practice.

New Delhi: Mirrors: Distance Between Worlds, a dual exhibition featuring diaspora artists Shana Sood and Yolanda Peña Mazzoni, will be presented at Bikaner House in New Delhi from 23 to 29 July 2026. Curated by New Delhi-based arts writer and curator Georgina Maddox, the exhibition examines migration, identity, memory, and belonging through realist paintings shaped by experiences across India, Cuba, Spain, and the United States. The opening evening is scheduled for 23 July, while an artist–curator interaction will take place on 24 July at 5:00 PM.

A Dialogue Across Cultures

Although raised in different parts of the world, Sood and Mazzoni find common ground in their artistic exploration of diaspora and cultural memory. The exhibition presents their individual visual languages in conversation, revealing both contrasts and shared emotional experiences.

According to the artists, the exhibition explores cultural distances not only between countries but also between generations and personal identities. Through portraiture and figurative realism, both artists reflect on how migration shapes memory and belonging.

Exploring Identity Through Painting

Shana Sood, who was born and raised in New Delhi before moving to the United States in 2005, draws inspiration from Indian traditions and the emotional experience of living between two homes. Her paintings often feature women dressed in traditional attire, rendered in oil on canvas with careful attention to realism.

Sood describes her work as an attempt to reconcile the realities of life in the United States with vivid memories of India. Colour plays an important role in her practice, particularly deep reds that evoke cultural memory, passion, and continuity. A self-taught artist, she has exhibited widely across New England in the United States and previously presented her solo exhibition Homecoming at Bikaner House in 2025.

A Meditation on Connection

Yolanda Peña Mazzoni approaches similar themes from a different cultural background. With family roots in Cuba and Spain, her recent body of work reflects on relationships between people, places, ideas, and communities.

Originally trained in interior architecture, Mazzoni studied at the New England School of Art and Design before furthering her artistic education at the Rhode Island School of Design and The Art Students League of New York. She currently serves as Managing Director of Client Services at Artists for Humanity while maintaining an active painting practice. Her work has been exhibited at galleries including Imago Foundation for the Arts, Galatea Gallery, Patriots Place Art Gallery, and Zullo Gallery.

Exhibition Highlights

Visitors can expect:

• Realist paintings exploring migration and diaspora.
• Portraits reflecting womanhood, memory, and cultural identity.
• Visual conversations connecting Indian, Cuban, Spanish, and American experiences.
• Distinct artistic practices presented within a shared curatorial framework.

Artist-curator Interaction

An artist–curator conversation on 24 July 2026 at 5:00 PM will offer visitors an opportunity to hear directly from the artists alongside curator Georgina Maddox. The discussion will focus on artistic processes, personal histories, and the ideas behind the exhibition.

Event Information

Bikaner House has established itself as one of New Delhi’s leading public venues for contemporary art, regularly hosting exhibitions by emerging and established artists from across India and abroad. The venue has increasingly presented exhibitions examining identity, memory, and cross-cultural narratives, making it an appropriate setting for this dialogue between two diaspora artists.

Final Thoughts

Mirrors: Distance Between Worlds presents two distinct artistic voices connected through shared questions of identity, migration, and belonging. By bringing together experiences rooted in India, Cuba, Spain, and the United States, the exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to reflect on how personal histories shape contemporary artistic practice. Beyond individual narratives, the exhibition contributes to wider conversations about cultural exchange and the evolving meaning of home in an increasingly interconnected world.

Art Explore will present Inward, the first solo exhibition by celebrated couturier and textile designer Harpreet Narula, from 3 to 21 August 2026 at its Panchsheel Park gallery in New Delhi. Curated by Vikram Singh, the exhibition marks Narula’s transition into a public contemporary art practice while remaining closely connected to the visual language that has shaped his career in fashion and textiles. The exhibition brings together a new body of abstract paintings informed by memory, craftsmanship and the rhythms of repetition.

From Couture to Contemporary Painting

Recognised for his contribution to Indian couture and textile design, Narula has spent decades working with fabric, pattern and craftsmanship. Rather than representing a departure from his design career, Inward extends that practice into painting. His mixed-media canvases draw on the structural logic of weaving, where repeated marks gradually build rhythm, texture and form.

According to the exhibition notes, painting has become a daily practice for Narula, who describes it as a source of happiness and peace. Each work develops patiently through thousands of deliberate marks, reflecting an approach rooted in sustained observation rather than spontaneity.

Inspired by Frescoes and Vernacular Traditions

The exhibition takes inspiration from the painted frescoes of Shekhawati and the decorated havelis and kothis of Rajasthan and Punjab. These architectural traditions, together with Narula’s experience in textile design, have informed a visual language that explores abstraction through colour, pattern and repetition.

Curator Vikram Singh describes the paintings as being shaped by three enduring traditions—the painted wall, the loom and repetition-creating works that remain rooted in place while speaking through a contemporary abstract vocabulary.

Exhibition Highlights

• First solo exhibition by Harpreet Narula
• Curated by Vikram Singh
• Mixed-media abstract paintings
• Works from the Rhythms of Life and Polarities of Rhythm series
• Inspired by fresco traditions, textiles and cultural memory
• Focus on repetition as a meditative artistic process

Art Explore’s Contemporary Programme

Founded in 2016, Art Explore has developed a programme that supports emerging, mid-career and established contemporary artists across painting, sculpture, installation and mixed media. Based in Panchsheel Park, New Delhi, the gallery focuses on long-term collaborations and exhibitions that engage with themes of identity, memory, material and place. Recent gallery presentations have included artists working across abstraction, ceramics, sculpture and mixed media, with Harpreet Narula also participating in several of its art fair presentations.

Visitor Information

The exhibition is expected to appeal to audiences interested in contemporary abstraction, textile traditions and the relationship between design and fine art. Those seeking additional information or media interactions with the artist may contact Longform Communications, as noted in the exhibition press material.

Continuing a Personal Visual Language

Rather than presenting abstraction as an isolated formal exercise, Inward positions painting as a continuation of Narula’s lifelong engagement with materials, structure and craftsmanship. The exhibition reflects broader conversations within contemporary Indian art around regional histories and inherited craft traditions while maintaining a distinctly personal visual language. Through layered surfaces, repeated gestures and references to architectural memory, the exhibition invites viewers to spend time with works that reveal themselves gradually.

As Harpreet Narula begins this new phase of his artistic practice, Inward offers audiences an opportunity to encounter an artist whose experience across design and visual culture has evolved into a thoughtful body of contemporary painting.