Mumbai, India: Over the past nine days, Jehangir Art Gallery, one of Mumbai’s most revered cultural spaces, became the beating heart of a compelling artistic dialogue. The group exhibition VOICES, presented by Bespoke Art Gallery from Ahmedabad and curated by acclaimed art historian Uma Nair, concluded its successful run on July 24, 2025, leaving behind a resonant trail of ideas, emotions, and cross-cultural connections.
With a lineup of 26 Indian and international artists, VOICES was far more than an art showcase, it was a movement of thought. The works displayed, spanning painting, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, and installations, engaged audiences on a range of urgent and timeless themes: mythology, identity, conflict, climate, and culture. Each piece contributed to a narrative that was diverse yet cohesive, a rare balance that elevated the exhibition beyond a typical group show.
At the heart of VOICES was the idea of dialogue, between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary interpretation, regional roots and global sensibilities, the individual and the collective. The exhibition didn’t conform to a single visual language. Instead, it celebrated multiplicity, of voices, forms, and meanings.
Among the highlights was Arpitha Reddy’s mural-inspired homage to the Dashavataras, deeply rooted in the temple traditions of Kerala, yet presented with a fresh, reverent visual voice. Equally captivating was Muzaffar Ali’s ‘Hoshruba’, a lyrical work that invoked the dynamism of horses, an enduring motif in his oeuvre, alongside his evocative calligraphic pieces shown earlier in Delhi.
From Bhajju Shyam’s Gond storytelling to Ankon Mitra’s origami-infused sculptures, the exhibition offered a rich cultural cartography. International names like Timur D’Vatz, Bobur Ismailov, Jesús Curia, and the iconic duo Gillie & Marc brought global textures and traditions to the fore, creating a powerful dialogue with Indian contemporaries like Harsha Durugadda and Arzan Khambatta.
Curator Uma Nair’s vision was clear throughout, a commitment to framing art as connection. Drawing inspiration from Jagdish Swaminathan’s ideas on the artist’s inner search, Nair shaped VOICES as an introspective yet outward-looking space, inviting audiences to reflect, feel, and question. Each work posed its own inquiry, some with subtle grace, others with declarative strength, yet all imbued with sincerity and a sense of place.
The choice of Jehangir Art Gallery as the venue brought its own gravitas. A space long known for balancing India’s artistic heritage with experimental fervor, it was the perfect host for a show that traversed tradition and innovation. The gallery’s atmosphere offered the breathing room necessary for contemplation, encouraging slow viewing in an era of quick consumption.
For Bespoke Art Gallery, VOICES marked a momentous debut in Mumbai. Under the leadership of founder Devin Gawarvala, the gallery’s curatorial sensibility shone through, grounded in aesthetics, craft, and a thoughtful international perspective. Their efforts to create a meaningful bridge between Ahmedabad and Mumbai’s art circuits are commendable and signal a promising future.
Now that the exhibition has drawn to a close, its impact lingers. Not merely in the form of memories or Instagram posts, but in the deeper way it touched audiences, urging them to listen, reflect, and engage with the plurality of artistic expression in today’s world. In an increasingly fragmented world, VOICES stood out for its coherence and compassion. It reminded us that art is not just for the walls, it’s for the soul.
The full roster of participating artists includes: Ankon Mitra, Arijoy Bhattacharya, Arpitha Reddy, Arun Kumar Hg, Arun Pandit, Arzan Khambatta, Bhajju Shyam, Bobur Ismailov, Gillie & Marc, Harsha Durugadda, Jesús Curia, Karl Antao, Keshari Nandan, Leena Batra, M. Narayan, Madan Lal, Muzaffar Ali, Nilesh Vede, Ram Kumar Manna, Sanjay Bhattacharyya, Saraswati Auroville, Saroj Kumar Singh, Sudip Roy, Timur D’vatz, Vipul Kumar, and Walera Martynchyk.
Highlights include:
Standout works included Arpitha Reddy’s mural series on the Dashavataras, where mythological themes were reimagined through a modern lens, blending reverence with innovation.
Arzan Khambatta’s industrial piece, Moving Ahead, powerfully conveyed themes of progress and the relentless drive of human ambition.
Muzaffar Ali’s Hoshruba offered a poetic visual of galloping horses, a recurring muse in his practice, capturing motion, memory, and mysticism on canvas.
Nilesh Vede’s Animus and Anima merged Carl Jung’s psychological archetypes with Indian scripts, exploring inner dualities through layered symbolism.
Bhajju Shyam’s Gond artworks brought tribal narratives alive, offering deep cultural insights through detailed, story-rich compositions.
Ankon Mitra’s origami creation Spring, Summer, Monsoon drew inspiration from Jaipur’s blue pottery, transforming paper into a seasonal, tactile meditation on nature.
Sudip Roy’s Offering (Aarti) channeled the sacred spirit of Banaras, using expressive brushwork to evoke ritual and devotion.
Harsha Durugadda’s sculptural piece Topo interpreted the layered landscapes of urban life, capturing geography and movement in solid form.
From the international lineup, Jesús Curiá’s contemplative sculpture Small Bench and Timur D’Vatz’s symbol-laden mythical figures extended the exhibition’s emotional and philosophical range, adding a resonant global dimension.
Exhibition Title: VOICES I Dates: July 16–24, 2025 I Venue: Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai
Presented by: Bespoke Art Gallery, Ahmedabad I Curated by: Uma Nair
Images Credit : Bespoke Art Gallery Ahmedabad