Last Updated: April 1, 2025,
A NEW exhibition in London featuring 26 emerging artists from six south Asian countries explores cultural exchange and similarities throughout the region, according to its co-curator.
Titled (Un)Layering the Future Past of South Asia: Young Artists’ Voices, the show examines themes of ecological fragility, gender justice, displacement, and political unrest through media including painting, sculpture, textiles, photography, video and installations.
“Our exhibition is looking towards a bright future. It acknowledges the past and shared histories and focuses on the interconnectedness in south Asia. We’re talking about cultural exchange and similarities throughout south Asia,” Manmeet K Walia told Eastern Eye.
“There are many threads that connect all the works. For example, there’s nostalgia and memory, as well as geographical aspiration, in a certain way. It also explores the lived experiences of today, with artists discussing their experiences.
“We’re examining many issues that connect the works in terms of tone, visual appeal, and overall aspect.”
Artists from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Afghanistan feature in the exhibition. It is curated by Indian and Pakistani artists Walia and Salima Hashmi, who took three years to put it together.
One of the highlights of the exhibition, which is supported by The Ravi Jain Memorial Foundation, is a joint artwork by Pakistani artist Maheen Kazim and Indian artist Purvai Rai. Their work, titled Hum bhi dekhein ge (We too shall see, 2024-25) represents unity and connection between the countries. It focuses on the traditional textile called khes, exploring shared memories and weaving practices from the Punjab region, which spans both Pakistan and India.
Through their artwork, Kazim and Rai explore the impact of Partition.
Another work is by Sher Ali, an artist from Afghanistan who was forced to migrate to Australia a year ago. The artwork is a massive silk screen with embroidery done by women in Kabul. He sent the textile to Kabul and the women worked on it. It calls for the right to live free from the shadows of war.
Walia, who studied master of arts in curatorial practice from the Chelsea College of Art, University of the Arts London, said, “The exhibition focuses on emerging artists.
“Art typically witnesses the times, and this show features young voices reflecting on current events. These artists will narrate stories in the future, just as we now read stories through other artists who have passed away or are very senior.”
