Many moods of displacement – Sangeetha Devi Dundoo, THE HINDU

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Hyderabad’s Iconart gallery asked eight artists to present their interpretation of displacement. ‘Displaced’ explores dimensions, from the physical migration to shift in identities, and is curated by the gallery’s founder Avani Rao Gandra.

Over the years, Avani has interacted with art students who’ve moved to Hyderabad for career prospects and have stayed on. She observed how many of them got nostalgic about their hometowns. At a broader level, she observed how Hyderabad has been welcoming people from different corners of the country and the world, in recent times. The migration is driven by economic, political or environmental factors. “I’ve been wanting to explore the concept of displacement. The decisive moment was the ‘Do Din’ event in December 2018 that focussed on migration,” she says.

In her installation ‘Exist – Exit’, Avani uses painting, coconuts and cotton fabric, for a metaphysical interpretation of predator-prey syndrome, the sense of belonging to a land, and faith that binds it all.

Ajit Kumar Mahato: The artist who hails from Bengal uses boats, some in tones of grey and others in vibrant hues. Titled ‘Nou’ in Bengali, the art work denotes both the ‘boat’ and time as ‘now’. He discusses journey and time of displacement, the struggles in a new city where he chased his dreams, and the colourful memories of his hometown.

Arnab Narayan Biswas: This artist’s love for heritage made him look at the shift from the past to present, through the now desolated structure of Mahbub Mansion in Malakpet. Mesmerised by its architecture, the artist gives us a window into its glorious past.

Debosmita Samanta: Her interactive installation ‘Connecting the Fragmented Journey’ has assorted images and words. She encourages visitors to mix up the images and words. She reflects on a woman’s journey from one city to another and what it takes to tide over uncertainties and embrace life and responsibilities.

Pavan Kumar D: In ‘Wish’, Pavan Kumar writes a poem on a bubble wrap paper, satirically denoting the urban bubble, and underlines his displacement triggered by the need for freedom.

Sweta Chandra

Sayoni Laha: ‘Stifle’ is her way of celebrating the right to live in a free space. Drawing our attention to gender anomaly, she doesn’t want to remain constrained in a society filled with violence.

Sonali Laha: ‘Trespassers are prohibited’ stems from a personal displacement, as a now-parched land has nothing to offer and the movement happens in the hope of greener pastures, a newer land to herself where nothing can destroy it.

Sweta Chandra: ‘Going to Town’ focuses on movement from the rural to the urban for economic reasons. She uses mirrors to reflect on life in both scenarios and the cost of displacement.

‘Displaced’ is on view till February 28 at Iconart, Road no.12, Banjara Hills.