Interrogating Inherited Legacy
At a time when tradition is often seen as something to either preserve or reject, we ask a different question: what happens when we treat tradition not as a relic, but as something fluid, something we can interrogate, reshape, and reimagine? Through the works of artists from Pakistan Muhammad Zeeshan, Ghulam Mohammad, and Arslan Farooqi, along with Indian artists Puja Mondal and Dhara Mehrotra, and UK-based Alexander Gorlizki, we attempt to unpack the complexities of inherited legacies and challenge the static notions of culture and history.
Rather than simply preserving or critiquing the past, these artists engage deeply with symbols and motifs passed down through generations, reconfiguring these elements into contemporary dialogues that resonate with today’s socio-political landscape. Their works create a space where past and present coexist, challenge, and inform one another. They invite us to ask: how do our lived experiences redefine not just individual identity, but the cultural narratives we inherit and pass on? How do we navigate the tension between personal history and collective memory, pushing us to rethink our sense of belonging in a world that often feels increasingly fragmented?
Inspired by Geeta Kapur’s concept of “articulating the self in history,” this exhibition examines how personal experiences are woven into broader historical and cultural contexts. For instance, Dhara Mehrotra, turns her gaze towards the natural world, drawing inspiration from the intricate networks of mycelium. Her works suggest that even in nature, patterns of identity and divergence mirror the human experience, reflecting how complex and interconnected our legacies truly are.
Similarly, Muhammad Zeeshan, born in 1980 in Mirpurkhan, Pakistan, investigates motifs closely tied to his cultural heritage. His work invites viewers to reconsider social norms and the lens through which we perceive others
Arslan Farooqi brings a fresh approach to Indo-Persian miniature painting, using his background in this traditional art form to craft detailed works that address complex themes of consciousness, community, and power. Birds frequently appear as metaphors for social systems, representing hierarchies and collective dynamics.
Puja Mondal’s work speaks directly to the unsettling experience of change—both personal and collective. Grounded in miniature painting and Jaipuri fresco techniques, her practice becomes a space to reflect on the loss of cultural handiwork and the shifting dynamics of political climates. Rather than simply mourning what is lost, Puja’s pieces offer a sense of hope, honoring those who dissent and engage in dialogue. By incorporating literary sources—quotations from historical texts, novels, and poetry—into her visual language, she layers her work with narratives that go beyond the surface, creating intricate commentaries on memory, identity, and resilience.
