How art exhibitions provide unmatched experiences of aesthetics, scale and technique

Launched in 2014, PhotoSparks is a weekly feature from YourStory, with photographs that celebrate the spirit of creativity and innovation. In the earlier 1,030 posts, we featured an art festival, cartoon gallery. world music festival, telecom expo, millets fair, climate change expo, wildlife conference, startup festival, Diwali rangoli, and jazz festival.

At the 65th National Exhibition of Art organised by Lalit Kala Akademi (LKA) in New Delhi, 20 artists were conferred with awards. The artists include Sanjay Kumar Sahani, Sanjib Kumar Gogoi, Santa Deb, Siddharth Shahjirao Shingade, Usharanjan Mandal, and Vijendra Sharma.

Sanjay Kumar Sahani is a contemporary visual artist who draws attention to youth as a subject of artistic reflection. He explores themes of their identity, energy and daily experiences.

Sanjib Kumar Gogoi is known for his engagement with figurative and abstract painting, distinctive textural effects, and antique-inspired artistic styles. He completed his MFA in painting at Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata, and has more than two decades of artistic practice.

Santa Deb is a contemporary sculptor whose artistic practice exemplifies simplicity, balance and the aesthetic qualities of form. Siddharth Shahjirao Shingade and Usharanjan Mandal experiment with mixed-media techniques and alternative artistic materials, while Vijendra Sharma has made a mark as a contemporary painter.

Wide exposure to such artists helps visitors appreciate different cultural traditions, identities and perspectives. The diversity of painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, and mixed-media works shows viewers how similar themes can be expressed in a multitude of ways, as highlighted in this photo essay.

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Viewing original artworks inspires audiences to think creatively and develop their own imagination. By addressing subjects such as environmental protection and urban life, they connect aesthetics and activism.

The blend of the traditional and the contemporary shows that India's artistic heritage is a font of inspiration and motivation. This applies to artists, art enthusiasts, collectors, historians, students, and members of the public.

Observing the excellence of professional artworks spurs aspiring creators in their own artistic journeys. Books and digital media are popular sources of knowledge about art – but art exhibitions provide unique opportunities to experience and engage with art.

Exhibitions allow audiences to experience the actual size, dimensions and physical impact of artworks, particularly large paintings and installations. It encourages them to consider ideas and viewpoints they may not have previously encountered.

Exhibitions also provide opportunities to encounter artists whose work may not be widely available in books or online platforms. This helps audiences discover new talent and creative approaches.

Seen up close and from different angles, visitors can examine brushstrokes, layering, textures, materials, and techniques. This helps in gaining a deeper understanding of how artworks are actually created, and appreciating the perseverance and discipline required for artists.

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Seeing an exhibition along with other visitors, artists, curators, and art professionals makes art a shared cultural experience. The arrangement, lighting and surroundings of an exhibition create an immersive experience that digital images cannot fully reproduce.

Art exhibitions offer audiences a direct, interactive and sensory experience that extends beyond simply looking at images. This leads to deeper ways of understanding and appreciating art.

In the case of a pan-India exhibition of art, viewing original artworks from different regions provides a stronger appreciation of the country's diverse cultural identities. This extends to regional traditions, religious influences and artistic heritage.

In sum, the 65th National Exhibition of Art by LKA is a national snapshot of contemporary Indian visual art. The showcased artworks were selected from 6,175 submissions of 2,495 artists across 27 States and Union Territories.

It is therefore significant not just as an exhibition in the capital, but as one of the Akademi's principal mechanisms for identifying, recognising and giving national visibility to India's emerging and established visual artists.

Now what have you done today to pause in your busy schedule and harness your creative side for a better world? 

(All photographs taken by Madanmohan Rao on location at Lalit Kala Akademi.)