The Government Museum and Art Gallery, in collaboration with the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi, showcased the works of Surinder Dhami, a renowned photo artist of city beautiful who takes a bold artistic leap in his latest series. Departing from his iconic black-and-white style, Dhami embraces the vivid language of color, focusing on rusted, forsaken coal drums—objects often dismissed as lifeless.
Yet, Dhami uncovers vibrancy in their decay, a silent dialogue in their weathered surfaces. Through his lens, these discarded relics tell stories of resilience, abandonment, and the relentless passage of time. Rust, cracks, and peeling paint become poetic textures, transforming neglect into raw beauty.
Rainwater renders their surfaces reflective, while nature reclaims their edges with sprouting life. This juxtaposition of decay and renewal serves as a powerful metaphor for transformation. Dhami invites us to reconsider our perceptions of value, urging us to find elegance in imperfection and untold stories in the overlooked. In his hands, the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and the discarded, eternal.
Surinder Dhami s solo show is a treat for the eyes and the mind.
