Mapping memories are more than a visual showcase – this is a trip through the internal landscape of its artists. Currently in the Lalit Kala Academy, in collaboration with Chennai made by a Hindu, each piece detects connections for the spaces that have shaped the manufacturer’s identity and experiences. These vivid stories are told in oil, water color, acrylic and sculpture.
“A lot of artists who have shown their actions are not represented, and for us, it is important that they listen to their voices and their creative expressions are seen. They are forcing every person’s stories and how they join the blanks that have been an integral part of their lives,” Upasana Asrani says that a curator of Curantors says that a curator of a curator.
Memories of rest by Balaramana. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
For the artist Balaramna of Coimbedu, his work is 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, helped him load and transport it. I saw the pain, strength and silent endurance of those men every day … Those experiences lived deeply with me. So when I started learning to learn art, I felt a strong odor to change my life.”
His piece, The Moment of Rest, is inspired by a photo he took during a photo walk in the local market. “I noticed that a worker was negligent on the sack of garlic, a dip of tea. There was some peaceful and honest in the scene, and it was with me. For me, my work is more than just observation; they are a tribute to those with whom I come in the backbone of our markets, and the everyday life is full of stories that I come in the backbone of our markets.”
Worship Asrani | Photo Credit: Ragu R
Over the past few years, the exhibition has mainly focused on South India, titled Spotlight in the south, attracts artists with a relationship with this part of the country. This year, for the first time, an open call was released. “We had around 250 to 300 entries from all over the world, from where we shortlisted 70 artists for this exhibition,” says Upasana.
Puneet Kadwen by Sakham | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Artists from Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh use Kadwen, acrylic and layered texture – which are similar to the sand – the essence of Vrindavan’s soil and our cultural memory to have a touching relationship for embedded feelings. Swanbhuti, Sakyam and colleagues titled, Krishna appears in one with his calf partner, in the other, he is seen playing Flute – Each painting develops a moment where memory, devotion, and imagination are interacted.
“The texture and symbolic elements act as sites on a spiritual map, invite the audience to navigate through the layers of myth, emotion and timeless love. My work wants to re -read collective memories, not through literal representation, but in the inclusive, symbolism and emotional places, by calling,” Kadavan.
Beauty torture by Sun-Sav Elanchezian | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Artists and Professor Sev work on Elchezian’s Watercolor, titled Sun Memorial recalled the Sun to enhance the unique beauty of the Pallava pillars. “Although columns are architectural elements, the Sun also elevates them as a sculpture. The Sun displays the subtle theory of art and architectural nuances and puts ideological symbolism brilliantly on the basis of aesthetics,” tells Alanchezian.
Outside Singapore, the painter, sculptor, bronze sculpture of Peenana, which is titled, shows a child in his mother’s lap. He uses the Lost-Vax technique, an ancient chola-periodic method that uses a wax mold to make one type of pieces. (Once the wax melts, the mold is destroyed.) The sculpture shows the mother and the child with closed eyes, which he explains, “there is no eye contact for the audience, which is to explain emotions, thus become active participants in the creative process”.
Mother by mother Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Chennai -based artist Rajsekar A Raja is demonstrating his resin sculpture under the title of mother inspired by Madri of Ravi Verma. “I dreamed of making a sculpture in his soul – a work that could catch the same calm glory. But then there was an idea within me: Verma was a royal; The women she saw and painted were wrapped in the grandeur of palaces. If I wanted to rebuild such beauty, who would be my women?
He says, “The answer in front of me has increased, not the Queens of the Guild Court, but the women who are standing in front of me in front of me: my mother, my sister, my wife … women whose crowns are ignored. In my mind, they were not holding a silver tray with fruit; instead, they stood very heavy.
Mapping is done by Madras Art Weekend in collaboration with memories Hindu Made from Chennai, and currently from August 14 from 11 am to 7 pm at Lalit Kala Academy.
Published – August 11, 2025 06:33 pm IST
