In an age of nationalism, a month-long art exhibition in Kolkata on the idea of land

A month-long exhibition titled ‘Zameen’ (land), is set to open in Kolkata on Friday (January 9, 2026), with present-day artists from across India showcasing their works on a subject that is more important than ever today in defining identity.

“Land carries deep cultural and emotional significance, anchoring identity, heritage and community ties. In many indigenous and pre-capitalist societies, land was collectively held, embedded in systems of reciprocity and stewardship. With colonisation, industrialisation and capitalist expansion, it has shifted from being a shared sustainer to becoming an asset of ownership, control and speculation,” curator Ina Puri said about the theme of the show that is be held from January 9 to February 8 at the Birla Academy of Art and Culture here.

“In step with this trend in history is the resurgence of divisive forces across the world today, including in South Asia. Nationalist and majoritarian politics have amplified religious, ethnic and caste identities, and digital media and populist rhetoric have further polarised communities, eroding trust and solidarity. How does an artist, indeed art, respond to the crisis of a weakening collective civic life? Perhaps, as the works in this show suggest, by focusing on individualistic subjectivity and personal narrative that highlight the experience of such asymmetry,” Ms. Puri said.

She felt it was important, as the curator, to not just dwell on the “landscape of memory” but also to focus on contemporary artists documenting their lives and perspectives. The 11 participating artists include Vikrant Bhise, Shambhavi Singh, Birender Yadav, Debasish Mukherjee, K.R. Sunil, and also the late Zarina Hashmi.

“’Zameen’ is symbolic — conceptually everyone’s land/roots/belonging is different. When land today is the root cause of conflict and violence globally, ‘Zameen’ maps the world through the lens of the artist in a way that is universal,” Ms. Puri said.

Artist Debasish Mukherjee said the exhibition stood as a marker of artistic continuity, credibility, and relevance within the Indian art ecosystem. “It brings together artists whose practices engage critically and sensitively with the politics of land. The works reflect on land as a site of memory, conflict, belonging, labour, and personal history. Through diverse artistic languages, the exhibition examines how land is claimed, transformed, remembered, and contested, both collectively and at an intimate, individual level,” Mr. Mukherjee said.