Studio3 Presents In Bloom: The Journey

The Studio3 Art Gallery was founded in 2002 by art collector Vinita Mirchandani. The art gallery is an amazing versatile platform that serves for both emerging and established artists to present their work on a global stage. The gallery represents over 400 artists from across India and offers a diverse collection, including contemporary paintings, sculptures, prints, and more. The Studio3 Art Gallery believes in guiding and supporting both emerging and established artists. It curates exhibitions that push boundaries while being accessible to a wide audience. It values collaboration among artists and art enthusiasts.

The art gallery is known for organizing very well curated exhibitions and one among the plenty is exhibition ‘In Bloom: The Journey’. ‘In Bloom: The Journey’ showcased the works of four distinguished artists, namely Ganapati Hegde, Oinam Dilip, Rakhee Shenoy, and Ritu Kamath. The exhibition was held at Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai from January 7 to 13, 2025. This exhibition serves as a platform for creative dialogue, inviting people to connect with art and nature in meaningful ways.

All About ‘In Bloom: The Journey’

The inspiration for organizing ‘In Bloom: The Journey’ stems from the desire to celebrate the diverse expressions of na­ture and its impact on human creativity and emotions. The exhibition aims to create a har­monious dialogue between art, nature, and human experience, showcasing how these elements intertwine to form a rich tapes­try of life.

The exhibition highlights the enduring influence of nature on artists. Each participating artist brings their interpretation of flora, fauna, and landscapes, illustrating the boundless creativity nature inspires. The exhibition encourages viewers to reflect on their relationship with the natural world. Especially after the pandemic, when many people found solace in nature, the exhibition resonates as a celebration of healing, resilience, and growth.

By featuring artists from varied cultural and geographical backgrounds, such as Karnataka, Manipur, and beyond, the exhibition emphasizes the universality of nature’s influence, while celebrating unique perspectives. The featured artists employ diverse techniques, from traditional painting to mixed media and abstract approaches, demonstrating how contemporary art can innovate while paying homage to timeless themes.

The exhibition celebrates the splendor of nature through the eyes of these artists, each bringing a unique perspective.

Ganapati Hegde: His artworks blend imagination with the vivid reality of his coastal Karnataka upbringing, featuring vibrant depictions of flora and fauna intertwined with elements of Indian mythology.

Oinam Dilip: Drawing inspiration from the rich culture and landscapes of Manipur, as well as the bustling cities of South Asia, his paintings fuse realistic and abstract imagery to explore human emotion and cultural legacy.

Rakhee Shenoy: A third-generation Indian artist, she employs a mixed-media approach that combines handloom weaving, embroidery, painting, and digital processes to create textured artwork reflecting life and interpersonal relationships.

Ritu Kamath: Her art honors the restorative potential of nature, inspired by the tranquility she experienced during the pandemic. Using ink, watercolors, and shadows, she captures serene natural environments that evoke inner peace.

The curatorial process for ‘In Bloom: The Journey’ involved a carefully planned and collaborative approach to ensure the exhibition embodied its vision of celebrating nature through art. Below is an overview of the key steps in the process:

• Concept Development: The theme chosen by the curators was ‘In Bloom’ as the central theme, symbolizing growth, renewal, and the intricate beauty of nature. This theme resonated with current times, particularly the renewed appreciation for nature post-pandemic. They also envisioned an exhibition that would not only display art but also evoke emotional and intellectual connections with nature.

• Artist Selection: Artists from varied cultural and geographical backgrounds were selected to provide a multifaceted representation of the theme. Each artist’s style was chosen to ensure a dynamic yet cohesive narrative. From Ganapati Hegde’s vibrant, nature-inspired

mythology to Rakhee Shenoy’s textured mixed-media works, the collection showcased the richness of artistic expression. The curators engaged in dialogues with the artists to understand their motivations, influences, and processes. This helped tailor the exhibition to highlight their unique contributions.

• Art Selection & Curation: A thorough review of the artists’ portfolios has led to the selection of artworks that best aligned with the theme. The curators ensured a balance between abstract and realistic interpretations, as well as between different media and techniques. Artworks were arranged to create a journey-like experience, guiding visitors through a seamless transition of emotions and themes.

• Exhibition Design: The layout at Jehangir Art Gallery was designed to maximize the impact of each piece. Lighting, spacing, and vantage points were meticulously planned to enhance the viewing experience. Complementary elements, such as foliage-inspired decor and ambient sounds, were incorporated to immerse visitors in the theme. Visitors were encouraged to engage with the art through guided tours and artist talks, fostering a deeper understanding of the works.

• Community Engagement: Partnerships with cultural institutions, media outlets, and influencers helped amplify the exhibition’s reach. Workshops and discussions were organized to connect audiences with the art and the artists’ philosophies. The curators emphasized eco-friendly practices in the exhibition setup, aligning with the theme of nature appreciation.

• Documentation & Legacy: High-quality photographs, videos, and written material were created to document the exhibition for future reference. The artworks were showcased at Studio3’s gallery for those who missed the Jehangir Art Gallery exhibition, extending the exhibition’s lifespan and accessibility.

In-Depth Details about Artists

Ganapati Hegde

Contemporary artist Ganapati Hegde’s artworks portray the rapturously green and radiant landscape of coastal Karnataka, where he grew up. Teeming with indigenous plants, flowers, birds, animals and insects, his paintings depict half-real, half-imagined worlds, layered with fantastical and unexpected elements.

Hegde’s otherworldly jungle is populated by nature’s assorted denizens, from caterpillars and chameleons to monkeys, butterflies and squirrels, along with a profusion of foliage painted in bright blues, reds, greens and lavenders. There is an undercurrent of fable-like storytelling that enlivens each work, compelling a viewer to unravel its varied perspectives.

With an obvious affinity for flora and fauna, Ganapati Hegde weaves natural elements together into ecstatic collages, formed by the playful juxtaposition of elements to create a bigger entity. In some works, the entities are reminiscent of various Indian gods and goddesses in a symbolic representation. In others, an animal might take centre stage in the visual allegory. The stance and attitude of the animal usually reflects human behaviour in a metaphorical manner.

Oinam Dilip

Oinam Dilip grew up in Bishenpur, a small town near Manipur and earned his BFA at Indira Sangeet Viswa Vidyalaya and then graduated from Delhi College of Art. In early years, Oinam experimented with abstract and realist forms of art, which were inspired by the metro cities of South Asia.

However, gradually the artist felt the need to freely experiment with the culture and vibrancy of North East India, a place where he belonged. He wanted to portray his homeland on the canvas, the way he sees it. His work is inspired by archetypal images, the nature and surroundings and the tangible cultural objects.

The artist found his muse in North East Indians, which inspired him to capture their beauty and simplicity on canvas. His portraits depict the integral understanding of social ethos and conditions of Manipur. His subjects cover most of his canvas forming a gorgeous, multi-layered splash of colours, lines and most importantly human feelings. His paintings have a balance of realism and abstract, with his subjects inclining more towards realism, set in a beautiful vibrant backdrop.

Rakhee Shenoy

Rakhee Shenoy is a textile artist weaving together a rich tapestry of multidisciplinary skills, artistic expression, and a deep commitment to ethical textile practices. Rakhee’s artistry thrives on the fusion of unique mixed media techniques, including handloom weaving, hand embroidery, painting, and digital drawing. The MA programme at the Royal College of Art, London and undergraduate programme at Srishti MAHE, Bangalore has strongly influenced her ability to combine diverse approaches and materials, resulting in artworks that are not only visually captivating but also conceptually profound.

Her creations become a canvas for storytelling as she weaves narratives of human connection into her work. Central to her artistic ethos is her dedication towards creating a unique visual language. She employs varied mixed media techniques to create her artworks. Her process begins by hand drawing and painting elements, after which she scans her work and digitally introduces new elements and interventions. The digital artwork or collage is then printed on archival canvas, and subsequently hand painted and hand embroidered.

Rakhee works closely with a team of embroidery artisans at her studio to realise her artistic vision. Rakhee’s visual imagery draws inspiration from everyday life and the notion of holding onto keepsakes, heirlooms and habits. Objects hold memories of shared narratives and signify where we come from by acting as tangible links to our past. These artifacts capture the essence of moments, stories, and experiences that shape our identities. They carry the imprints of cultural heritage, personal milestones, and communal histories. Through these objects, we connect with the collective memory of our communities, preserving the legacy of our shared journey. Through careful manipulation of elements and a deep exploration of symbolism, Rakhee aims to create a sense of nostalgia and comfort.

Rakhee’s work has also been showcased on various international stages. Her work has been exhibited at the Z33 Museum in Belgium and Unit 1 Gallery London in collaboration with Sanne Vaassen, in London Craft Week 2022, Hackney Gallery London, and Royal College of Art 2020 show at The Bargehouse London. She has also participated in important group shows in India. Her participation in global art shows has led her work to be published in international publications.

Through her work, Rakhee Shenoy opens portals to new dimensions, inviting viewers to explore the depths of textiles as a form of expression, connection, and transcendence. The artist lives and works in Bangalore, India.

Ritu Kamath

Ritu Kamath is a visual artist with a multidisciplinary approach to her works. A multidisciplinary artist, she received her BFA in Pa inting and Sculpture from the renowned Jamia Milia Islamia University in 1992 and Masters in Fine Arts from Gwalior in 2018, but starting at 1986, she spent the early years of her life practicing and harnessing her artistic abilities under the guidance of Shobha Broota and Rameshwar Broota at Triveni Kala Sangam Studios in Delhi.

Her series, ‘The Forgiving Mother’ centers Mother Earth, who deliberately, willingly, and gladly decided to forgive her children, the human beings, whether or not they deserve her forgiveness and her tolerance for constantly imposing their needs over her wants and inflicting wounds on her body for their selfish and never-ending greed.

She paints an ode to the Mother Nature and her children, including the birds, wild animals, and trees. Her paintings focus on how, when the other children, the human beings part their greedy and ever consuming ways, she starts healing and her children start growing. The forests get greener, the flowers blossom in multiple colors, butterflies flap their attractive wings and birds sing songs of freedom.

This exhibition is more than a visual treat, it is an ode to nature’s enduring ability to inspire, heal, and connect us all. As you step into this immersive journey, you are invited to pause, reflect, and rediscover the beauty of its shared environment, as seen through the eyes of these extraordinary artists.