Stories of life, space, and identity at Lalit Kala Academi

The Hindu

a day ago

Mapping Memories is more than a visual showcase — it is a journey through the inner landscapes of its artists. Currently on at At Lalit Kala Akademi, in collaboration with The Hindu's Made of Chennai, each piece traces connections to spaces that have shaped the maker' identities and experiences. These vivid stories are told in oil, watercolour, acrylic, and sculpture.
'A lot of the artists who have shown their works do not have representation, and for us, it is important that they get their voices heard and that their creative expressions are seen. These are compelling narratives of each person and how they associate with the spaces that have been an integral part of their life,' says Upasana Asrani, one of the curators of Mapping Memories.
For artist Balaramana from Koyambedu, his works are inspired by his life as a load worker. He says, 'Before I joined the Government College of Fine Arts in Chennai, I used to work with my father, helping him load and transport goods. I have seen the pain, the strength, and the silent endurance of those men every single day… Those experiences stayed with me deeply. So when I started learning art, I felt a strong urge to turn that part of my life into something meaningful through my work.'
His piece, The Moment of Rest, is inspired by a photograph that he took during a photo walk in the local market. 'I saw a worker sitting casually on a garlic sack, sipping tea. There was something peaceful and honest in that scene, and it stayed with me. For me, my works are more than just observation; they are a tribute to the people I come from, to the backbone of our markets, and to the everyday lives that are full of untold stories,' says Balarama.
For the past few years, the exhibition has primarily focussed on South India, titled Spotlight on the South, drawing artists with a connection to this part of the country. This year, for the first time, an open call was issued. 'We had almost 250 to 300 entries from all over the world, from which we shortlisted 70 artists for this exhibition,' says Upasana.
Artist Punit Kadwane from Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, uses acrylic and layered textures — that resemble fine sand — to create a tactile connection to the earthy essence of Vrindavan and the emotions embedded in our cultural memory. Titled Swaranbhuti, Sakhyam, and Companions, in one Krishna appears with his calf companion, in another, he is seen playing the bansuri — each painting evokes a moment where memory, devotion, and imagination intersect.
'The textures and symbolic elements serve as landmarks on a spiritual map, inviting viewers to navigate through layers of myth, emotion, and timeless love. My work seeks to reawaken collective memories, not through literal representation, but by blending materiality, symbolism, and sentiment into immersive, contemplative spaces,' says Kadwane.
Artist and professor SAV Elanchezian's work on watercolour titled Sun commemorates the sun for elevating the unparalleled beauty of Pallava pillars. 'Though the pillars are architectural elements, the Sun elevates them as a sculpture as well. The sun demonstrates the subtle principle of art and architectural nuances and brilliantly casts the conceptual symbolism on the basis of aesthetics,' explains Elanchezian.
Based out of Singapore, painter, sculptor, P Gnana's bronze sculpture titled Fierce Protector, shows a child on her mother's lap. He uses the lost-wax technique, an ancient Chola-period method that uses a wax mould to create one-of-a-kind pieces. (Once the wax is melted, the mould is destroyed.) The sculpture shows the mother and child with closed eyes, which he explains, 'the no eye contact is for the viewers to interpret the emotions conveyed, thus becoming active participants in the creative process'.
Chennai-based artist Rajasekar A is showcasing his resin sculpture titled Mother, inspired by Raja Ravi Varma's Madri. 'I dreamt of creating a sculpture in its spirit — a work that could hold the same quiet majesty. But then a thought stirred within me: Varma was a royal; the women he saw and painted were draped in the elegance of palaces. If I were to recreate such beauty, who would my women be?'
He adds, 'The answer rose before me, not queens of gilded courts, but the women who have stood before me all my life: my mother, my sister, my wife… women whose crowns are unseen. In my mind's eye, they did not stand holding silver trays brimming with fruit; instead, they stood carrying something far heavier — the home itself.'
Mapping Memories by Madras Art Weekend is done in collaboration with The Hindu Made of Chennai, and is currently on at the Lalit Kala Akademi till August 14, from 11am to 7pm.