'Alchemy of Matter' exhibits art of fragmentation, finding oneself in the modern world

The world we live in is fast-paced, where constant movement, or say displacement, has become the norm — away from home, family, and often, from ourselves, to chase the dream. This fragmentation we experience, physically and emotionally, seeps into every aspect of our day-to-day lives. ‘Alchemy of Matter’, a private collection by Great Banyan Art, captures this delicate disorientation through rare and evocative works on paper, sculptures, and installations. Works spanning from the 18th to the 21st centuries, the exhibition features celebrated names like M.F. Husain, and F.N. Souza, as well as contemporary artists.

 

"The idea behind ‘Alchemy of Matter’ is to explore the spirit of transformation," says Rahul Gajjar, founder of Great Banyan Art. "We wanted to bring together artists who, through their unique mediums, capture the restless, ever-evolving human experience." The exhibition is on display till May 30th at the Bikaner House, New Delhi. 

 

Among the many talents featured, three artists—Uday Mondal, Vinod Daroz, and Lochan Upadhyay—stand out for their intimate yet universal portrayals of modern existence.

 

Uday Mondal, who has been practising art for over two decades, draws deeply from personal longing and memory. His series ‘Baby’s Day Out’ captures fleeting family moments — a wife and daughter enjoying meals at restaurants, a day out, a simple shared joy — that the artist himself often misses while being away from home. 

 

"We do not realise the beauty of family time while we are with them but understand it when we are away," Mondal reflects. His work, tender and nostalgic, is not only about distance but also about his feminist belief in supporting women’s dreams, a sentiment subtly mirrored in his portrayal of loved ones savouring their independence and happiness.

 

Vinod Daroz, a contemporary sculptor, brings a different perspective through a refined lens to the modern condition. His trio of bronze sculptures, ‘The Grounded Dreamer’, captures the dying spirit of dreaming in a world obsessed with survival. Figures shaped like men stand tall, but where heads should be, clouds are made—one even coloured a soft blue, clutching two beautiful red flowers. 

 

When asked who the dreamer is, Daroz answers, "It can be anyone. It can be me, you, or anyone in this room." The tomb-like blocks on which the sculptures rest hint at ambition, a desire not just to dream but to reach the height of existence.

 

Meanwhile, Lochan Upadhyay, who uses waste to make his sculptures, captures the materialistic man of the 21st century in his sculpture ‘The Traveler’. Made of recycled plastic, wood, rope, wire, and lights, the figure trudges forward under the weight of his belongings. The recycled materials are not just materials but are metaphors for the consumerist baggage the 21st-century human race carries, physically and emotionally, in a restless search for purpose.

 

Together, these artists form a narrative of longing, dreaming, and wandering while seeking stability amidst the chaos, and a place to belong. ‘Alchemy of Matter’ reminds us that even in our most fragmented selves, art can bind the pieces together. 

Society