Delhi: Satish Gujral’s centenary year unfolds with landmark exhibitions

Delhi: The art world celebrated the centenary of one of Delhi’s most recognisable names in art and architecture—Satish Gujral, the renowned Indian modern artist. The commemorative celebrations commenced with The Gujral Foundation’s exhibition, Ear to the Ground, at India Art Fair 2025, honouring the iconic artist and architect who not only shaped the capital’s art scene but also left behind signature architectural masterpieces that redefined spaces.

Mohit Gujral, architect and son of Satish Gujral, explains, “My father saw architecture as living sculpture—a space that breathes, resonates, and speaks. This exhibition was not only a tribute to his vision but also a way to inspire new generations to see the world through his unique lens.”

Gujral’s daughter-in-law, Feroze Gujral, founder of The Gujral Foundation, adds, “His work defied categorisation, spanning architecture, painting, sculpture, and beyond. Throughout this year, we aim to celebrate his transformative vision and his belief in the emotional and sensory power of architecture as art.”

She further shares, “We at The Gujral Foundation have been engaged in philanthropy for the past 15 years. It began with the creation of the foundation for my father-in-law’s 80th birthday, and on his hundredth, I am delighted to launch this show, which will be followed by two large exhibitions at the end of the year.”

A new space for artistic dialogue

The Gujrals plan to open Satish Gujral’s house in Lajpat Nagar as an art centre under the foundation. Feroze says, “That would be lovely. It’s a spectacular 1950s house. We are also planning a major retrospective with the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) Delhi, along with a large architecture and design exhibition at the Chandigarh Arts Museum. All these form part of an extensive series of shows marking his hundredth-year celebration.”

Curator Vishal K Dar, who conceptualised the evocative exhibition at the Art Fair, pays tribute to Gujral’s unparalleled contributions to art and architecture. He described Ear to the Ground as a comprehensive exploration of Gujral’s architectural genius, illustrating how his creations transcend functionality to become “living sculptures.”

He explains, “Through the exhibition at the Art Fair, I sought to bring together a curated selection of architectural drawings, rarely seen studies revealing Gujral’s fascination with primal geometries such as domes, arches, and cylinders, along with sculptural installations and innovative works inspired by his philosophy of architecture as a form of art.”

A legacy of interdisciplinary innovation

The mixed-media assemblages displayed at the exhibition showcased the experimental creations that characterised Gujral’s interdisciplinary approach. These included photographs of public murals and monumental visuals capturing the power and narrative depth of his large-scale public works.

Vishal K Dar delved into the rich intersections of Gujral’s practice, uncovering how sound, light, and materiality coalesce in his works to create immersive, symphonic spaces. He explains that the exhibition is both a tribute to Gujral’s legacy and an invitation to experience architecture as a sensory, living art form.

Satish Gujral’s granddaughter, Alaiia, also draws inspiration from his genius. Her exhibition, Shifting Horizons, presented at this year’s India Art Fair, took a design-focused approach. As the next generation of the Gujral family, she reimagines traditional Indian materials through modern aesthetics, showcasing works by both established and emerging designers. By bridging the past and the future, Shifting Horizons reflects The Gujral Foundation’s commitment to nurturing creative talent and innovation, celebrating Gujral’s transformative impact on art and architecture while fostering new dialogues across disciplines.

The Gujral Foundation’s enduring impact

Founded in 2008, The Gujral Foundation has become one of India’s leading art foundations. Over the past 16 years, it has nurtured talent across art, architecture, culture, and design in the Indian subcontinent and beyond. Feroze Gujral explains, “The foundation’s purpose is to enrich India’s contemporary arts and cultural ecosystem.”

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The foundation has curated and contributed to numerous national and international projects, including the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, My East is Your West (a collateral event at the 56th Venice Biennale), Contour Biennale 8, the 11th Shanghai Biennale, the 8th Berlin Biennale, The State of Indigo at the London Design Biennale, Colomboscope, and Forgotten Masters: Indian Painting for the East India Company at the Wallace Collection. It has also participated in To What Shore You Cross at ASIA NOW: Paris Asian Art Fair and Memory’s Cut: Its Deep Embrace at the Musée National des Arts Asiatiques – Guimet. Since its inception, The Gujral Foundation has supported 330 artists and presented more than 100 exhibitions and programmes.

Mohit Gujral concludes, “My father saw architecture as living sculpture—a space that breathes, resonates, and speaks. His vision continues to inspire new generations to see the world through his unique lens.”