Reflecting the Self

In a landmark exhibition curated to commemorate its 25th anniversary, Gallery Threshold honours and recognizes the artists who have been integral to its journey, while also acknowledging their significant contributions to the broader artistic landscape. Titled ‘Reflecting the Self’ where the theme of Self Portraiture serves as a unifying element for diverse artistic practices. The exhibition celebrates the strong bonds forged between the gallery and the artists, acknowledging their artistic excellence and the lasting impact they have made within the art community.

The self-portraits created by the 35 participating artists go beyond mere portrayals of physical appearances, going deep into narratives and vignettes from their own life stories. The use of portraiture enables them to explore complex issues surrounding identity and purpose. Through mediums such as painting, photography, sculptures and installations, the artists not only capture their physicality but also express their inner emotions, vulnerabilities, and aspirations.

The curators Deeksha Nath and Tunty Chauhan embrace a broader understanding of self-representation that encompasses figurative and abstract works, as well as alliterative and metaphorical approaches. Self-portraits can contain deeply personal and introspective elements, as well as convey political and cultural significance or evoke personal empowerment. They serve as a means for artists to connect with others, fostering empathy and sparking conversations about the intricate nature of the self. They serve as a means for artists to connect with others, fostering empathy and sparking conversations about the intricate nature of the self. The process of creating self-portraits holds profound significance for the artists themselves and for those who engage with their artwork in the exhibition.

Gallery Threshold’s journey began in 1997 in Visakhapatnam. The gallery is a conceptual convergence of artists that explore the sensitivity and richness of art from the subcontinent, taking on aesthetic concerns that address contemporary realities, philosophical ponderings and mythological concerns of the artists the gallery represents.

For over 25 years, the gallery has pursued its mission to identify and enable future artistic talent. Threshold prides itself on the diversity of expression, material and demographics presented through well researched and sensitively curated exhibitions. Our artists include those who work with traditional materials as well as those creating process-oriented works. The gallery provides a supportive platform for blazing new trails by crossing the ‘threshold’ between the known and the possible.