Exhibition: Alchemy of Matter

The Lexicon Art Gallery is set to present ‘Alchemy of Matter – New Materiality and Studio Practices at Baroda’, a landmark exhibition that delves into the evolving material consciousness shaping contemporary Indian art. Curated by Rahul Bhattacharya, the exhibition opens with a preview on April 25, 6 PM–9 PM, at The Main Art Gallery, Bikaner House, and will run from April 26 to 29, 11 AM–7 PM. It will continue at The Lexicon Art Gallery, Connaught Place, from May 5 to June 10.

‘Alchemy of Matter’ brings together 16 mid-career and emerging artists whose works reflect a significant shift in artistic practice. Their use of materials transcends aesthetics, embracing clay, bronze, canvas, glass, and more—redefined not merely as mediums, but as agents of critique, memory, and provocation.

Baroda, long recognised for its seminal contributions to the Narrative movement and mediatic realism, now stands at the forefront of a new artistic wave. Its studios have become crucibles for experimentation, enabling cross-generational dialogue and innovation. The exhibition highlights this shift, positioning materiality not just as form, but as content.

Featured artists include: Mayur Gupta, Sashidharan Nair, Indrapramit Roy, Anuj Poddar, Ganesh Gohain, Santana Gohain, Chander Prakash, Vinod Daroz, Alok Bal, Nimesh Patel, Uday Mondal, Ajay Lakhera, Rai David, Santa Rakshit, Lochan Upadhyay, and Azghar Ali.

Speaking on the occasion, Mamta Nath, Founder of The Lexicon Art Gallery, said, “The contemporary art culture and experimentation fostering in Baroda continues to be a hidden gem for art enthusiasts, curators, and collectors. ‘Alchemy of Matter’ offers a comprehensive glance into that culture. Viewers can expect to engage with mediums and ideas that have remained unexplored and get a chance to interact with the artists, offering valuable insights into their creative processes.”

Also Read: ‘Beyond Myth & Metaphor’ – A solo exhibition by Shabir Hussain Santosh

Curator Rahul Bhattacharya added, “The ‘Alchemy of Matter’ insists that materials are not mute—they argue, provoke, and remember. What we’re seeing in Baroda today is not a return or reaction, but a sharp reorientation: the studio as a site of material thinking. Artists are no longer illustrating politics—they’re embedding it into the grain of wood, the skin of clay, the weave of textile. These are not metaphors. They are confrontations.”

‘Alchemy of Matter’ stands as both a celebration and a provocation—an invitation to witness how Baroda’s artists are forging new pathways in contemporary Indian art through a redefinition of material itself.