Anita Goel captures the complexity of identity, memory, and connection with a poignant simplicity that lingers long after the viewer has left the gallery.
Anita Goel
In an ever-changing world where identities are both shaped and blurred by societal expectations, Anita Goel’s solo exhibition I Don’t See You at Nitya Artist Centre, Prabhadevi, from September 29 to October 5, 2024, offers a profound exploration of social identity, connection, and disconnection. Curated by Sanjeev Sonpimpare, this exhibition is a thought-provoking reflection on how much of ourselves and others we truly see.
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Anita Goel, a London-born, Mumbai-based artist with over 25 years of artistic evolution, brings her experiences, observations, and emotions to life on canvas, confronting the viewer with blank, featureless faces. These faceless images speak volumes through their silence, inviting the audience to question their understanding of identity, perception, and relationships. As Goel explains, “Invisibility is often the most powerful form of existence. It’s not about what we see but what we choose to unsee, what we miss in our everyday encounters that defines our relationships and our sense of self.”
Her faceless portraits are far from simple abstractions; they are deeply layered expressions of the human condition. Through the absence of features, Goel challenges societal norms that reduce identity to mere labels and appearances. She invites the viewer to experience a world where identity is not defined by the visible, but by the person hidden beneath the surface. “We live in a world obsessed with appearances, but true connection happens when we go beyond the visible and engage with the unseen,” says Goel, explaining the philosophy behind her work. We constantly update our social media status and check messages but fail to connect with those present with us.
The metaphor of the spotlight serves as a central theme, illustrating how individuals can exist in the periphery while others occupy the center stage. It also emphasises how individuals can be isolated in their experiences, while the surrounding context remains unseen. This dynamic is poignantly captured in the artwork that depict gestures of greeting and farewell, suggesting that meaningful connections often extend beyond the visible frame.
The pieces also delve into the nuances of mother-daughter relationships, highlighting the generational gaps in understanding and perspective. This is mirrored in the portrayal of gossip among women, where the act of not seeing the broader implications of their words underscores a deeper disconnect within relationships.
Each piece in the exhibition moves fluidly between themes of presence and absence, forcing viewers to confront their own biases and the emotional voids they may carry. In this void, Goel finds power, as it reflects not only the unknowns of those depicted on the canvas but the emotional complexities of the viewer themselves. “When people look at these blank faces, they are confronted with their own emotions, their own memories. It’s like looking into a mirror that doesn’t reflect physical appearance, but the unseen layers of our psyche,” she adds.
Anita’s work has a way of speaking to the deepest parts of our humanity. It forces us to reckon with the fact that sometimes, to truly see, we must first unsee. Her faceless figures are not about emptiness, but about the fullness of emotion that resides beyond the physical.”
The journey of I Don’t See You mirrors Goel’s own life experiences. As someone who copes with Prosopagnosia or face blindness -she brings a unique perspective on the fluidity of identity. Her work reflects not just personal introspection but a broader commentary on the global tension between individuality and conformity. “We are constantly navigating between the desire to be seen and the fear of being misunderstood. This duality is central to my work,” she says.
Goel’s creative evolution over two decades has led her to this moment, where her abstract portrayal of the human condition strips away the layers of social identity. Her artistic exploration of memory, time, and loss is a testament to her belief in the profound impact of the unseen. “In the end, it’s not about how we present ourselves, but how we allow ourselves to disappear, to let go of the need for recognition,” Goel reflects.
As the viewer moves through the exhibition, the faceless portraits begin to speak in their silence, echoing questions about presence, absence, and how much of life is defined by what remains unseen. The paintings are not merely expressions of individual faces, but a universal representation of the human experience. They reflect the struggle to connect in a world where true identities are often masked by societal roles.
Sonpimpare’s curation enhances this message, creating an immersive experience that forces viewers to slow down and reconsider their relationship with both the art and their surroundings. “The beauty of Anita’s work lies in its ability to evoke contemplation. These faceless figures ask us to pause and reflect on our own emotional landscapes, to see beyond the obvious, and to embrace the unseen.”
In I Don’t See You, Anita Goel captures the complexity of identity, memory, and connection with a poignant simplicity that lingers long after the viewer has left the gallery. As Goel herself expresses, “Don't See You" ultimately serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy and awareness in fostering genuine connections amidst the complexities of human interaction emphasizing the notion that seeing is not merely a physical act but a choice influenced by emotional and social contexts
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