An eclectic canvas

Mortimer Chatterjee and Tara Lal

In its seventh edition launched this month, In Touch, an online exhibition showcases the works of 13 contemporary Indian artists. With the closure of public spaces and cultural institutions due to COVID-19, the art world quickly adapted to online models to exhibit art. In Touch, launched in April 2020, was one such response.
Six months since its last exhibition, Shireen Gandhy, creative director at Chemould Prescott Road, Mumbai, exclaims that the online platform comes back to life with two more Mumbai-based galleries as well as a new website that will help navigate the exhibitions in an experiential way. She continues, "We are delighted to bring together eclectic exhibitions that show varying programmes, but also hold together in terms of a contemporary language."

Shireen Gandhy

Make the most of it

To mark this edition's launch, the 12 participating galleries hosted a webinar - a virtual walkthrough led by artists and gallerists. A recording of this session is available on In Touch's website. Ensure you watch it for a deeper understanding of the artworks.

Gallerist Mortimer Chatterjee of Chatterjee and Lal, Mumbai, shares about his gallery's takeaways: "We are showing the work of Arshi Irshad Ahmadzai, and her work consistently probes contemporary social themes using historical and mythological narratives [as metaphors]. We would be thrilled if viewers are provoked to consider the deeper themes suggested by the individual works." Ahmadzai's series titled Naguftanha-E-Havva (The Unspoken Words Of Havva) comprises works on fabric done between 2020 and 2021 when she was living between India and Kabul.

Raag-o-Raagini, 2021. Pic/Arshi Irshad Ahmadzai And Chatterjee And LaL; (right) Arshi Ahmadzai

Digital-first format

The gallerists welcome the digital format for its accessibility. Roshini Vadehra, director of Delhi's Vadehra Art Gallery, which is another participating gallery, believes the digital format has allowed for increased accessibility for both domestic and international collectors and curators, and has expanded the market for both new and seasoned collectors. Artist Sameer Kulavoor, whose series titled Fragile is on display, mentions that online exhibitions can be the next best thing when denied the sensory experience of viewing art in person. "Feed your mind, be stimulated and stay inspired," says Kulavoor.

Breakable, 2021. Pic/Sameer Kulavoor And Tarq; (right) Sameer Kulavoor

Till April 30
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