‘...it may become possible for artists to work truly concretely and constructively with reality itself, to work with what men are really like rather than with a visual etiquette...’

- John Berger

Bringing together a myriad languages of expression, the exhibit 'In search of a common ground' becomes an investigation of the new. It is akin to the search for a word that better describes art than the term 'contemporary'. An individualistic approach that combines the artist’s inner struggle and the outer frustrations of language barriers and lack of expression thereof. Moving beyond words, the visuals offer conversations that allow the viewer to connect with

perhaps more than just the work.

Showcasing a quaint mix of artists from a variety of backgrounds, the exhibit simply hopes to invite the viewer as a witness. Elham Hoseinpour (or Lili for short) weaves in the traditions of her heritage with a deep darkness infused within her elaborate compositions. Interestingly, this is reflected quite well by Mani K Ayyapan, whose photographs echo the same beauty and paradox of darkness and light; alongside the earthy sculptures of Abijith E.A. and the starkly nude figures of Firoz Nediyath.

Fragmented memories collide, as they reflect kaleidoscopically through the innocent overtures of Anoopa Jacob, the strangely floating installations of Rishi Sasi, the glowing compositions of Gopika Krishnan and the detailed prints of Clement Raj. Each of these dream-like sequences slow down with the abstractions of Jibin Babu and are then brought back to the ground through Vishnu Sasi’s pop-art like figures and conceptual detail. Whether it is the refreshing take on figurative expression or the surreal overtones of structure and illusion, each work becomes its own individual, and the exhibit, a moving inception of conversation.

``We would all perhaps want to find common ground after this period of isolation; a sense of community in which expression is free and unfettered. Perhaps that is why I chose to create this exhibit; to create a ‘common ground’ for those who feel like they are out of place in their own practice and time.”

- Moksha Kumar