What does it mean to belong?
That question sits at the heart of Belonging, a group exhibition currently showing at SOL Gallery in Fitzroy, bringing together artists whose work explores identity, migration, memory, disability, culture and community.
Curated by Melbourne-based artist Nandita Chakraborty, the exhibition grew out of her earlier show, Two Worlds Collide, and reflects what she describes as an emotional, spiritual and creative homecoming.
“For me, belonging is intertwined with nature,” Nandita says. “It is the mist-covered hills of Meghalaya, the warmth of my childhood home in Kolkata, and the memories that continue to shape me as an artist in Melbourne.”
The exhibition opened to a record crowd of around 130 people on 3 June, with visitors filling the gallery to celebrate a diverse collection of works and stories.
Among the highlights is the works of acclaimed Odisha artist Gajendra Sahu, a National Award-winning artist honoured by the President of India. Drawing on more than four decades of artistic practice, Sahu’s works explore the relationship between people and nature.
Even today, he spends around five hours a day creating art. Asked about his inspirations, his answer was simple: “Films and nature.”
Another artist drawing interest is Chhatrapati Biswal from Odisha, whose work seeks to preserve traditional art forms that are slowly disappearing. A former lecturer at a government college in India, Biswal says this is his first international exhibition after exhibiting extensively across India.
“Our tradition is going to die. So how do we revive it? How do we protect it?” he said. His work draws inspiration from Odisha’s traditional wooden toys and the artisans working to keep these cultural practices alive.
The youngest artist in the exhibition, Samaya Tiwary, aged seven, offers a different perspective. The six works she is exhibiting took two months to complete.
“It’s good because you can express yourself,” she said of painting. “The brush feels like it’s moving with the ocean.”
Speaking at the opening, one guest reflected on the power of art to bring people together.
“With a little bit of art, a little bit of smiles and a little bit of friendship, it goes a long way,” he said. “You may all be looking at each other as strangers today, but you will leave this show as friends.”
That sentiment perhaps captures the spirit of Belonging best. While the artists come from different backgrounds and artistic traditions, their works are united by a shared search for connection, identity and a place to call home.
The exhibition also features works by Melbourne-based artists Nitasha Malik, Rajvi Saria and Shipra Anand, each bringing their own perspectives on identity, memory, culture and belonging.
Belonging continues at SOL Gallery until 14 June.
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