Art Bengaluru Collective is commencing its eleventh annual art exhibition. This exhibition takes place at the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath (KCP) and is titled ABC Chitra-Colors 2026. The event features 300 works by over 45 artists.
Art Bengaluru Collective is commencing its eleventh annual art exhibition. This exhibition takes place at the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath (KCP) and is titled ABC Chitra-Colors 2026. The event features 300 works by over 45 artists.
The collective was founded by artists Rashid Kapphan and Ranjit David in 2022. The exhibition showcases diverse works in mixed media, acrylics, watercolors, and charcoal painting. Rashid Kapphan noted that ABC Chitra-Colors is not just a gallery exposition but an immersive center designed to stimulate creative interaction, initiate discussions, and highlight the vibrant cultural pulse of Bengaluru.
The main goal of the initiative is to democratize access to art and promote appreciation for public art. Kapphan emphasized the desire to eliminate the barrier between creators and the public, dismantling the stigma often associated with commercial galleries. The exhibition aims to be inclusive, bringing together both seasoned masters and emerging artists, thereby broadening the understanding of various artistic styles and fresh perspectives.
To support the community and keep art accessible to buyers, the collective does not charge a commission on works sold during the shows. This is the second ABC exhibition held at the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath. Since its inception, ABC has hosted ten group shows, and over these years, more than 500 artists have presented their work, reaching thousands of art enthusiasts across the city and beyond.
Among the artists whose works are featured in this photo essay are Aashwija Kadlabal, Aishwarya Vishwakumar, Chaitanya Srivastava, Minal Bhatnagar, Meghna Chauhan, Pratima Sharma, Priyanka Mittal, Rima Ravindran, Soulima Das, Srinivasan NG, and Vikram Sharath Raj. Other participants include Anila Ostwald, who draws inspiration from the vibrant folk art and culture of Rajasthan, and Anurag Aggarwal, an engineer by profession who works with charcoal and graphite. Meghna Chauhan's works are inspired by folk art forms such as Gond and Madhubani, while illustrator Rahul Das combines dark, gothic, and Art Nouveau-inspired portraits with bright graphic compositions.
The exhibition was inaugurated by V Ravichandar, a renowned civic evangelist, chief organizer of the Bengaluru Hubba festival, and founder of the heritage space Sabha BLR. Kapphan added that their dream is to create a space where artists from different ethnic groups can gather and make Bengaluru a living place, fostering camaraderie among artists who usually work in isolation.
The Time and Space Gallery in Bengaluru recently presented a group exhibition titled 'Continuum: Artists across Time and Space.' This exposition gathered works from over 50 artists representing diverse styles and themes.
Among the featured artists are Jatin Das, Kayalvisi Setukaras, Mamata Singhade, Nilisha Fad, Renuka Sondhi Gulati, and Shipra Bhattacharya. Another exhibition focusing on graphic arts and engraving is planned from July 25 to August 8.
Jatin Das is recognized as a contemporary artist whose expressive paintings, sculptures, drawings, and murals are well-known. Over the past five decades, he has actively exhibited both in India and abroad, and has participated in public art projects and advocacy for the arts.
Kayalvisi Setukaras' practice is based on personal memories, identity, and cultural narratives. She draws inspiration from mythology, South Indian traditions, and daily life, depicting themes of femininity, childhood, belonging, and everyday experience.
Mamata Singhade creates expressive paintings that celebrate nature, rural life, and the quiet resilience of women. Working primarily in acrylics, her works explore landscapes, trees, birds, and human figures, blurring the lines between reality and imagination.
Nilisha Fad analyzes the relationship between memory, self-awareness, and lived experience through figurative and conceptual approaches, prompting viewers to reflect on the complexities of modern life.
Renuka Sondhi Gulati is known for her vibrant paintings, which draw inspiration from spirituality, nature, and human emotional experiences. Her themes of inner peace, cultural heritage, and the transformative power of art resonate with a wide audience.
Shipra Bhattacharya is an outstanding contemporary painter recognized for psychologically rich figurative works that explore femininity, identity, and the complexities of domestic and emotional life. Her themes include loneliness, desire, memory, and individuality.
The gallery's founder and curator, Renou George, comments on the exhibition, stating: 'The exhibition demonstrates a captivating spectrum of styles, subtle nuances of subjects, and meticulously perfected techniques. Dynamic narratives are rightly honored on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels.'
According to George, art passes through waves of various styles such as classicism, impressionism, surrealism, and cubism. She notes that many of these movements represented paradigm shifts but might have initially been considered unacceptable upon first display.
The curator adds that some pieces in the exhibition testify to careful planning, while others reflect spontaneity and even chance. Art challenges the viewer's preconceived notions and is capable of provoking new visual understanding.
Renou George explains that the form and message of the same work can differ in emotional tone: 'For example, the form can please the viewer, even when showing a completely horrific image.'
The gallery manager, Nagma Shaikh, emphasizes that Gallery Time and Space was never intended solely as a commercial space. It has always been a community filled with exhibitions, cultural discussions, live artistic performances, drama, and music.
Shaikh notes that ideas take shape and become reality through art. 'Throughout the ages, art has evolved with humanity, reflecting its rhythms, struggles, and hopes. Art exists within a certain time frame and occupies space to create an atmosphere that carries the essence.'
She continues that the gallery holds the past, present, and future in a single continuum and transcends boundaries. Gallery Time and Space is not a static place, but a living journey where artists not only exhibited but also grew.
In turn, the gallery itself evolved alongside the artists. Shaikh describes it this way: 'It was shaped by many hands, many minds, and many moments.'
The exhibitors demonstrated a diversity of styles, viewpoints, media, messages, and talents. Their works reflect a wide range of influences, particularly from nature.
Artist-curator Renou George concludes that the creators acknowledge the supreme mastery of nature, expressing gratitude to the environment as an eternal source of inspiration. 'Art reveals commitment to the world, which elevates the level of humanity for both artists and viewers.'
