Why Ayesha Taleyarkhan’s new exhibition at Tao Art Gallery will make you rethink integration

Over the past five decades, Ayesha Taleyarkhan's body of work has spoken for itself. Since she entered the field of photography in the black-and-white era, the veteran artist has dabbled in various forms of creativity and produced photobooks such as ‘Stree: Woman of India', ‘Beyond Bombay Balconies' and ‘Under the Sun: Business as Usual'.

In 2017, Taleyarkhan shifted her focus to some of the most striking photographs in her collection to create photo art, possibly a culmination of her work of so many decades. This love for her evolving photo artwork focuses on the theme of ‘Integration', with diversity and inclusion as its central theme. The artist says ‘Integration', a solo show on display at Tao Art Gallery in Worli, showcases 'Integration 3.0', her latest work in the series. It sparked off because of the current deterioration in international relations she witnessed, and the discrimination based on caste, colour and culture, which makes diversity look like a weakness.

It is this very aspect of Taleyarkhan's work that made Sanjana Shah, creative director of the city-based art gallery, curate the artworks. When asked what appealed to her the most about the veteran's art, Shah says the timelessness of the works and the way they showcase how human beings are made of myriad situations and issues. "Today, with the interconnectedness of the world, these entanglements are brought even further to the forefront, and our experiences of differences are exacerbated due to social media and comparisons." Shah adds while we may like to believe that we are closer together, it also leads to a loss of personal identity because of how we are imprinted upon by these changes in our lives. "The portraits are not easily readable or straightforward, and they show the chaos in identity we face today. The relevance is in the self-reflection that the art induces and the result of that in changing our perception of people."

Mid-day Online spoke to Taleyarkhan to understand more about her ongoing solo exhibition in the city. The artist and photographer tells us why she now enjoys creating photo art and introducing non-photographic layers. She also dwells on why her series is more relevant today than ever before.

Edited excerpts:

What made you select certain photographs from your past work for ‘Integration 3.0'?

There are many, many images for me to choose from. I select images that I feel are compatible and will blend together. This, however, is such a fluid and unpredictable medium that there could be an infinite number of other combinations that could work too.

What inspired you to create the series 'Integration 3.0'?

I have been creating photo art, with ‘Integration' as the central theme, since 2017. There are certain changes in style, which occur from time to time, even as the basic process doesn't change. At the moment I have arrived at ‘Integration 3.0'.

How is ‘Integration 3.0' different from the others in the series?

In 2017, when I had just started creating photo art and it was at the experimental stage, the works were simpler and basic. As I went on, my work started evolving and I was more confident to try out newer styles and categories. The style changes can be seen in the difference between Integration 13, and Integration 219 or 211, 224. The style and look of the work are clearly different.

How is this new photo art different from your work in the past?

In the past, I took photographs and used them in the photo books that I published. At the moment, I am creating photo art from the photographs I have taken earlier.

What led you to create the effects of crayons, oil paint, charcoal and watercolours on the photographs? Are they your favourite mediums to work with?

I introduce layers when I am creating a photo artwork, and this often brings out the feel of watercolours. A crayon finish gives texture to the work. The effects of charcoal and pen and ink also lend their distinct touch to the final work. They are printed on either canvas or archival paper, depending on the final takeaway. All these effects that are created make the work more engaging.

Your series focuses on integration in the world today. How necessary do you think it is in today's world, where international relations are being severed and discrimination is rampant?

Absolutely, I do feel that integration is necessary and will make a positive difference in the world we live in today. Values like unity and mutual respect are being rejected… we are on a slippery slope, and the sooner we realise this, the better.

Why did you decide to showcase a dominating number of female faces in your series? Does it stem from personal experiences or the many challenges women have to face today?

That is not intentional. I shoot people in general, both men and women, also children. Basically, I like to shoot interesting faces. At the time of creating a photo art, I see what appeals to me-the expression, the form, and use a picture accordingly. Maybe I identify more with women.

Did the Covid-19 pandemic influence your work in any way? How did you use the time you got during this period?

Since we were homebound, and I work from home in any case, I had a long stretch of pure undisturbed time to focus on the work. It was a very productive period for me because I was working on many categories of my artworks.

The pandemic made many exhibitions go online. With physical shows back in the city, do you think this would encourage a hybrid model, and what would you prefer?

It's great that physical exhibitions are back. Like other artists, I too am very excited about this. Since online exhibitions are a reality now, some may opt to go that route if they don't have access to physical exhibitions.

What are you currently working on?

Creating new works and showcasing them is an ongoing process. At the moment, I am not working on anything new as the exhibition is on and I am focusing on it. As and when commissions come up, I am happy to work on them and of course in time on new styles and categories as well, as the work keeps evolving.

When: June 11 - July 22, 2022
Where: Tao Art Gallery, Worli
Time: 11 am - 7 am (Monday to Sunday)
Visitors are requested to call 022 24918585 to schedule an appointment or book through this link: https://www.taoartgallery.com/book-an-appointment

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