Lakeeren- The Contemporary Art Gallery

Lakeeren- The Contemporary Art Gallery Lakeeren Gallery, exhibits avant–garde contemporary art practices with a special emphasis for curating & presenting art that reflects the zeitgeist.

Opening today Shadi Ghadirian -  Miss Butterfly as part of the exhibition Our Stone Age, a series of photographic work a...
01/09/2025

Opening today Shadi Ghadirian - Miss Butterfly as part of the exhibition Our Stone Age, a series of photographic work at Kamalnayan Bajaj Art Gallery, Nariman Point as part of MGW.
The story is inspired by a text by Behzad Nejadghanbar :

Miss Butterfly is going to meet the sun, looking for a way out and reaching for the light becomes captive in spider’s web. The spider, moved by compassion after observing all the grace and delicacy in Miss Butterfly, comes to an agreement with her. She is supposed to bring one of the insects from the dark cellar and ties it up in spider’s web for him. Instead, the spider is going to lead her to the way out and to the light. But after hearing the insects’ stories the Miss Butterfly feels pity for them and eventually returns to the spider empty handed with injured wings and makes herself captive in the web to the spider’s food. Knowing the truth, the spider sets the Miss Butterfly and shows her the way out to meet the sun. The Miss Butterfly recalls all the other insects in the cellar to share her freedom with them but she gets no response. She who is so frustrated by their reaction wide opens her weary wings and flies toward the sun.

"Miss Butterfly " photo series is a story of a woman who is busy weaving spider webs on doors and windows at home. The threads that at first glance seem to be woven for protection; Protection of the home, of security, and of the entry of insects or external threats. But behind this effort lies an inner conflict: Shapark Khanom's desire to reach the light.

These images are a metaphor for the human effort to maintain borders and security against external threats, but at the same time a reflection of the desire to break these barriers to achieve enlightenment, freedom, and dreams. Spider webs, which are a symbol of control and limitation, have been artistically transformed into a bridge between inside and outside.

"Shaperak Khanom" invites the audience to think about their inner dualities: protection or liberation? Security or light? This collection is a story of a woman who lives between staying and going, between making and being free.

As we enter 2025, women worldwide continue to face deeply rooted injustices and systemic oppression despite advancements...
01/07/2025

As we enter 2025, women worldwide continue to face deeply rooted injustices and systemic oppression despite advancements in gender equality. In this context, Iranian photographer Shadi Ghadirian’s Our Stone Age at Kamalnayan Bajaj Gallery opening 9 th January, presents a profound exploration of identity, resilience, and patriarchal structures through three pivotal photographic series: Qajar (1998), Seven Stones (2013), and Miss Butterfly (2011). Ghadirian’s work transcends cultural boundaries, offering a sharp critique of the global forces shaping women’s lives.

In Qajar, Ghadirian juxtaposes 19th-century Persian portraiture with modern objects like sunglasses and soda cans, exposing the tension between tradition and contemporary life. This duality underscores the persistent societal pressures women face in reconciling historical expectations with modern realities.

Seven Stones draws on the Persian game haft sang to symbolize violence, endurance, and silenced voices. Through minimalist still life compositions, Ghadirian captures the weight of honor-based oppression, reflecting its continued presence in contemporary society.

In Miss Butterfly, inspired by Persian folklore, Ghadirian uses the butterfly as a metaphor for women’s cyclical struggle for freedom and autonomy. Its fragile beauty speaks to both vulnerability and resilience.

Ghadirian’s Our Stone Age is a powerful call to action, urging viewers to confront and dismantle entrenched patriarchal systems while honoring the resilience of women worldwide.

Excited to exhibit Iranian artist Shadi Ghadirian’s Our Stone Age which brings together three significant photographic s...
12/27/2024

Excited to exhibit Iranian artist Shadi Ghadirian’s Our Stone Age which brings together three significant photographic series—Qajar (1998), Seven Stones (2013), and Miss Butterfly (2011)—to interrogate the enduring intersections of identity, resilience, and systemic oppression. Through the lens of historical, cultural, and symbolic imagery, Ghadirian crafts a sharp critique of the global and deeply entrenched patriarchal systems that continue to shape women’s lives. In Qajar, Ghadirian recontextualizes 19th-century Qajar portraiture by integrating modern, incongruous objects like sunglasses and Pepsi cans. This juxtaposition lays bare the contradictions women face in reconciling historical expectations with modern realities, critiquing the social pressures to embody multiple, often conflicting roles. It speaks to the persistent struggle of women globally, forced to navigate cultural and societal expectations imposed by both tradition and modernity.

Seven Stones, through its minimalist yet potent use of still life, addresses themes of violence and endurance. Inspired by the Persian game haft sang, Ghadirian’s symbolic use of stones and veils highlights the pervasive weight of gender-based oppression, echoing contemporary realities of honor-based violence and the silencing of women’s voices.

In Miss Butterfly, Ghadirian extends her critique to the cyclical nature of entrapment and liberation. Drawing from Persian folklore, the butterfly becomes a poignant metaphor for women’s persistent struggle against captivity—whether physical, cultural, or psychological. Its fragile beauty underscores both the precariousness and resilience of their fight for autonomy.

By engaging with local histories while addressing universal issues, Ghadirian’s Our Stone Age critiques the structural forces that perpetuate inequality and suppression. This body of work is a call to action, demanding recognition of these oppressive systems and inspiring the pursuit of meaningful change. Through her art, Ghadirian not only documents these struggles but also empowers viewers to confront the injustices that persist in our reality.

one for the books.
11/17/2024

one for the books.


Day 2 at the Lakeeren Booth at Art Mumbai.See you there!
11/15/2024

Day 2 at the Lakeeren Booth at Art Mumbai.
See you there!



I’m thrilled to participate in Art Mumbai with Silent Whispers, an extraordinary body of abstract work that delves into ...
11/05/2024

I’m thrilled to participate in Art Mumbai with Silent Whispers, an extraordinary body of abstract work that delves into the profound and nuanced concept of silence. Drawing inspiration from Mark Rothko’s powerful insight, “Silence is so accurate,” this collection invites viewers to consider how silence can be represented, interpreted, and invoked within the realm of abstraction.

Through minimalist and reductive approaches, each artwork strips away the unnecessary, revealing an essential core that echoes tranquility and introspection. These pieces create meditative spaces, reminiscent of vast, contemplative fields that restore a delicate balance in life.

Silent Whispers not only honors the legacy of abstract art but also expands its boundaries, offering a contemplative, transformative experience that underscores the deep connection between silence and abstraction.

Participating Artists:
Anita Dube, Astha Butail, Alke Reeh, Mithu Sen, Shambhavi, Seema Pandya

Deeply saddened by the passing of Sunaina Kejriwal—my friend and co-conspirator in the arts, wife of Manish Kejriwal, da...
10/06/2024

Deeply saddened by the passing of Sunaina Kejriwal—my friend and co-conspirator in the arts, wife of Manish Kejriwal, daughter of Rahul Bajaj, mother to Aryaman and Nirvaan, and Director of the Kamalnayan Bajaj Art Gallery in Mumbai.

I first met Sunaina at the BDL Museum in my art history class in 2017, and we quickly became collaborators, she invited me to curated several exhibitions at the gallery our first being “The Future is Here: Art and Technology in a Millennial Age”. Since then, we have worked on many shows for the Mumbai Gallery Weekend. Our last meeting was a month ago to discuss our upcoming exhibition for January 2025.

Sunaina was passionate about the arts, always brimming with curiosity and enthusiasm for the various themes which we presented. She really enjoyed meeting the artists and discussing their works in person. Her warmth, kindness, humble and genuine interest made working with her an absolute pleasure. I will miss her deeply, but I know she will be watching from beyond.

Rest in peace, dear Sunaina. You left us far too soon, but you have left an indelible mark and will always be our hearts forever ❤️❤️

Excited to present the India Debut exhibition of SEEMA PANDYA : Spanda :Reverberations of Nature Curated by Dr Arshiya L...
01/07/2024

Excited to present the India Debut exhibition of SEEMA PANDYA : Spanda :Reverberations of Nature Curated by Dr Arshiya Lokhandwala and Presented by Sunaina Kejriwal
for Mumbai Gallery Weekend 2024. Opens 11 January 5 pm. The artist will be present at the opening.

Spanda: Reverberation of Nature is a solo exhibition of Seema Pandya and drawing on the term Spanda, etymologically derived from the root, spadi, which means movement, motion, or vibration. According to Kashmir Shaivism, Spanda, manifests itself in everything one does as an impulse in which the consciousness, at the subtlest level, moves in waves of contraction and expansion resounding the “pulsation of the ecstasy of the divine consciousness” (Brahman).

Seema Lisa Pandya, a Brooklyn, NY based South Asian American artist presents an expansion of her Tabla sculpture series through several works drawing parallels between sound, geometry, cellular biology, and patterns found in all aspects of nature. Pandya takes her Tabla sculpture series a step further in this show drawing inspiration directly through an investigation of Cymatics. Cymatics is the study of sound and vibration made visible by applying a vibration to a plate typically holding sand or water to reveal natural patterns and geometries. The exhibition is the artist’s first solo exhibition in India. 1. Tabla Geodesic Dome
36in w x 36in h x 15in d
Reclaimed tabla heads,
acrylic paint, wood

2. Tabla Tapestry
50in w x 65in h x 1in d
Reclaimed tabla drumheads

3. Triverberations
41in w x 47in h x 3in d
Reclaimed tabla heads, India Ink, wood, stain

4. Vibric Spanda
10in w x 10in h x 1in d
Reclaimed tabla heads

Goodbye! Prussian Blue: A Serendipitous Colour that Altered the Trajectory of Art ( Part II)Thank you, Kiran Nadar Museu...
12/20/2023

Goodbye! Prussian Blue: A Serendipitous Colour that Altered the Trajectory of Art ( Part II)
Thank you, Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, Mrs Kiran Nadar and Roobina Karode and the entire team and the participating artist’s:

Anita Dube, Anju Dodiya, Alke Reeh, Astha Butail, Atul Dodiya, Desmond Lazaro, Mithu Sen, N S Harsha, Sheba Chhachhi, Shilpa Gupta, Subodh Gupta, Parul Gupta, Prajakta Potnis, Ranbir Kaleka, Sumakshi Singh, Shambhavi, Thukral & Tagra , Vivan Sundaram, Waqas Khan.

Image 1: Ranbir Kaleka, How Far ? .... 2023 Image 2: Desmond Lazaro, The Hard Question, 2023

Image 3 : Shambhavi Singh, Bhurukuwaa (Bhor ka Dularaa), 2023

Image 4: Anju Dodiya, Sea-wind of the Night, I, II 2023

Image 5: Mithu Sen, Tritanopia (blindness of Blue), 2023

Image 6 : Parul Gupta, Interplay #139 - #146, 2023

Image 7: Shilpa Gupta, 100 Hand drawn Maps of India, 2008/2019

Image 8: N S Harsha , Andhar Bahar, 2023

Image 9: Atul Dodiya, Untitled, 2023

Image 10: Sumakshi Singh, Light Song I, II, III

12/20/2023

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