22 LGBTQIA+ Artists Showcase Work at Unboxed 2.0 Exhibition in Delhi

An art exhibition titled 'Unboxed 2.0' has opened at The Lalit Suri Hotel in Delhi, bringing together a diverse collection of works by 22 LGBTQIA+ artists from across India. Co-curated by Naresh Kapuria, Praveen Mahto, and Shashi Baghwar, the showcase features paintings, illustrations, sculptures, and mixed-media works that delve into themes of gender, identity, memory, and selfhood.

The exhibition aims to place queer voices at the centre stage of the art world, allowing participating artists to unpack deep themes of identity, longing, and mythology through their artwork. The featured pieces range from paintings to sculptures, focusing on the concepts of resilience and personal history.

Among the 22 artists presenting their work at the hotel is Vaishnavi Jagdamba Nandgiri, who showcased her artwork titled 'Unmet Desire' to visitors at the venue. Another artist, Ember, is also among the creators presenting their visual art at the exhibition.

The curators of 'Unboxed 2.0' noted that the choice of colours in the exhibited pieces reflects deeper emotions and lived experiences of the artists.

Speaking about the showcase, co-curator Praveen Mahto said, 'The exhibition features a diverse roster of artists, each bringing a distinct visual language to the shared themes of gender, identity, abstraction, and selfhood.'

The platform itself serves a specific purpose in the contemporary art landscape. Keshav Suri, the founder of the Keshav Suri Foundation, stated that Unboxed is a platform created to amplify voices often left out of the mainstream. He emphasized that the exhibition focuses on sharing the stories of queerness, resilience, and joy.

By presenting these works at The Lalit Suri Hotel, the exhibition provides a space for LGBTQIA+ artists to share their unique perspectives on selfhood and survival with the public, highlighting narratives that are frequently excluded from mainstream artistic spaces.