Artist Ayesha Taleyarkhan’s solo showcase titled ‘Integration’ at Mumbai’s Tao Art Gallery looks at the concept of identity, both through the lenses of “integration” and “abstraction”. Featuring images taken by Ayesha previously, the exhibition captures how the artist lends them a different identity and, therefore, alters the new narrative.

“The correlation between integration and the abstract leads to an unpredictable and ambiguous space. Its richness permeates and creates a fluid dialect, which reinvents itself like a work in progress, but is never incomplete. This spontaneous quality transcends its many parts, marrying the layers and textures of the unknown and morphing into serendipity. Integration is an effective concept that binds and unites across borders, physical, cultural and ideological, challenging worn-out perceptions,” said Ayesha about her show. The older photos have been altered using diverse techniques that lend the effects of traditional mediums such as oil, charcoal and watercolour. The textures and layers are evident, as the subject interacts with the other elements of the medium on these pictures.

‘Integration’ has been curated by Sanjana Shah, who is creative director and independent curator at Tao Art Gallery. “I was particularly drawn to the portraits because they carried this chaotic intensity that spoke volumes about how the reading of the human face must be a multi-reading, allowing for all possible angles of expression. The dominating female faces in the series also showcase women in such a broad spectrum of personalities, which is most relevant to do so in today’s world. It is a pleasure to see such character and depth in these works that are otherwise unidimensional. The compositions have their specific styles and identities but are finally abstract in nature, resonating in the spirit of integration,” said Sanjana.

‘Integration’ opens on June 11 for a preview at Tao Gallery (www.taoartgallery.com) and will be open till July 22.

Pictures: Courtesy of Tao Art Gallery