More than the physical space itself, home for us is the dialogue we have with the spaces we live in. Our experience of inhabiting these spaces is drenched in our relationships with the people we live with and our own internal turmoil. Architectural accuracy has very little to do with how we remember our homes. However, it's a structure upon which we project our memories, hopes and dreams. Using these spaces around us to build a meaningful narrative of self-expression is the goal of Akara Contemporary's thought-provoking workshop, ‘Mapping Spaces Creating Imprints’, held in conjunction with the group exhibition, ‘Minor Detail’.
Minor Detail is a captivating exploration of home, not just as a physical structure, but as a powerful concept that influences our sense of self. The exhibition features works by four artists – Anirban Mishra, Mehak Garg, Saanthia Bulchandani Bulchandani, and Shyamli Singbal – who each map their unique understanding of home through their art.
Inside Mumbai-based Saanthia Bulchandani's intricate ink drawings, a simple bed transforms into a symbol of refuge, while scattered pillows and a lone woman lost in thought whisper stories of quiet solitude. For Goa-born Shyamli Singbal, home is about the warmth of loved ones. Her drawings capture the essence of togetherness, often through seemingly mundane moments: a mother savouring a candy, a grandmother engrossed in her sewing. It becomes a celebration of the emotional connections that define home for the artist. Haryana-born Mehak Garg's semi-realistic paintings delve into the psychological dimensions of our living spaces. Her muted tones portray the complex interplay between a physical space and our inner world. Kolkota-based Anirban Mishra's serene watercolours transport us to dreamlike landscapes. Lush hallways and forgotten corners hint at the weight of memories embedded within the walls of a home. Through light and shadow, he evokes a sense of the past lingering within the present; transforming the house into a custodian of time and stories.
The workshop draws inspiration from these artistic explorations where participants will be guided to create a ‘mental map’ of their surroundings; a process that will prompt them to reflect on the spaces they inhabit and how these spaces influence their thoughts and emotions. It aims to help provide a deeper understanding of how artists translate the complexities of home into visual narratives and nudge the participants towards looking beyond the physical walls to discover stories that resonate within the spaces they occupy.
Minor Detail is up for exhibition till July 20 and the workshop is taking place on July 13 from 11:30 AM to 1 PM at Akara Contemporary in Mumbai.
Register for it here.
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