The world is slowly but surely and cautiously getting back on its feet and so is the art world, as Mumbai-based Tao Art Gallery also marks its return to physical exhibitions with Textures and Layers, all set to open on December 16.

The exhibition is bringing together new artwork by Michelle Poonawalla, alongside those of Revati Sharma Singh, Kisalay Vora, Jaideep Mehrotra, Kalpana Shah and Shruti Jhaveri and has been curated by Sanjana Shah and Sapna Kar.

Keeping to the concept of curation of presenting artwork that is physically engaging after this long hiatus, Poonawalla is set to showcase six works that evolve beyond a traditional two-dimensional painting by incorporating sculptural elements.

“I believe that true to its historically experimentative nature, art cannot be confined to a primarily virtual platform. To understand the art, one must understand its essence, by interacting with every aspect of it minutely. Every artwork is imprinted upon twice, once by the hands of its maker, and the second time by the senses of its observer,” said Shah, creative director, Tao Art Gallery.

Poonawalla is known for her mixed-media practice that often combines technology with tradition as she goes about creating experiential pieces.

Her exhibited works for Textures and Layers include Blue Wave that is inspired by the city of Mumbai, and What if you fly! and Mystical Flight, both of which feature her signature butterfly motif. Desert Rose is a work that also features butterflies incorporated into it as they occurred naturally on her canvas, while Golden Flutter is a gilded work that draws from Poonawalla’s recent collaboration with Italian design house Inkiostro Bianco. Colours of Life is a positive take on the future and is part of the art produced during the period of lockdown.

The exhibition is on till January 10.

Pictures: Artist & gallery

Colours of Life, 2020

Desert Rose, 2020

Golden Flutter, 2019

What if you fly!, 2019

Mystical Flight, 2019