Dhoomimal Gallery and Cultivate Art proudly present Exodus, a solo exhibition showcasing the evocative paintings and sculptures of Rewati Shahani. This exhibition delved into the complexities of human geography across colonial and modern contexts, challenging the ethno-political delineations of the 20th century and examining their reverberations in the 21st.

Hosted at Dhoomimal Gallery, India’s oldest contemporary art gallery, Exodus ran from December 7 to December 29, 2023.

Born and raised in Mumbai, Rewati Shahani pursued Political Science before moving to London to study Fine Art at the Slade and Central Saint Martins. Now based in London, her work continues to explore the felt effects of human geography through a multidisciplinary approach, including oil paintings, hand-drawn maps, photographic prints, and ceramics. Shahani’s art examines displacement, diaspora, and the dynamics of being forced to become refugees. Her intricate and abstracted maps question the decisions behind human migrations, challenging the arbitrary contours of manmade nations. The series reflects on historical exoduses while embracing contemporary challenges such as climate-induced displacements. According to the UN Refugee Agency, tens of millions are currently displaced, with projections exceeding one billion by 2050, a crisis vividly captured in Shahani’s work.

                 Maps and Geographical Imagery: Shahani’s maps, some intricate and others abstracted, challenge the ethno-political delineations of the 20th century, exploring their impact in the 21st century. Her work resonates particularly with the struggles seen across South Asia and Palestine, capturing the harsh realities of climate change through dried-up riverbeds and scorched earth, symbolized in the cracks and crazing of her photographic prints.

Oil Paintings and Ceramic Sculptures: The exhibition featured layered oil paintings and earthen ceramic sculptures that reintroduced the geological imagery seen throughout Shahani’s career. Standing stones, cliffs, and mountains interrupted horizons, their raw and natural grandeur contrasting with the arbitrary contours of nations. These visuals offered a positive vision for the future, rooted in the freedom to explore rather than the need to flee.

Exodus was a collaborative effort between Dhoomimal Gallery and Cultivate Art, underscoring the commitment to presenting thought-provoking art that engages with socio-political themes. The exhibition marked a continuation of Shahani’s profound exploration of human geography, delving into the narratives of displacement, refuge, and diaspora within both colonial and contemporary contexts.

Exodus was more than an art exhibition; it was a profound commentary on the shifting landscapes of human existence. By challenging historical and contemporary delineations through her intricate maps and powerful geological imagery, Shahani invited viewers to reflect on the arbitrary nature of borders and the universal quest for freedom. Her work underscored the resilience of the human spirit, offering hope and a vision for a future where exploration replaces displacement. The success of Exodus reaffirms the importance of art in sparking dialogue and understanding, making it a landmark event in the collaboration between Dhoomimal Gallery and Cultivate Art.