from March 23rd to 30th, 2025 at The Stainless Gallery, New Delhi
New Delhi, March 25, 2025: The acclaimed art exhibition Presence of Absence in Man – The Elephant in the Room opened with an inspiring inauguration by Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, renowned environmentalist, animal rights activist, and founder of People for Animals, at The Stainless Gallery in New Delhi. The exhibition, presented by Visual artists and curators, Anoop Kamath and Anuradha Nalapat is running from March 23rd to 30th, 2025, has been organised by Matters of Art (MoA) and Arteflick as a fundraiser to support the Walking Eye Foundation for Animal Advocacy (WEFAA).
Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, a key advocate for animal rights, graced the event on March 22nd, offering her keen observations and heartfelt reflections on the artwork. In her note, she said, “I am truly pleased to have experienced this exhibition, which is excellently curated. The sadness of the artists is palpable, as they capture the gradual extinction of species and their longing for the beauty of nature. Kerala, blessed with nature’s best, is home to some of the most sensitive people. Yet, the disregard for species and the cruelty shown by its people is hard to understand. Cruelty breeds unhappiness, and Kerala’s human inhabitants would likely rate very highly on a scale of unhappiness.”
She further added, “Each artwork in this exhibition carries a powerful lesson. From the luminous banana clump by Matin OC to Rathidevi’s elephant that lights up the room, the tender family photos of elephants by T. Narayan, Ritu Kamath’s botanical drawings, Biji Bhaskar’s mossy mountains, and the canvas illustrating the space left for animals—each piece invites us to reflect and learn.”
The art showcase features over 50 powerful artworks created by eminent artists across India, focusing on the theme of the impact of human nature on animals and the environment. The exhibition continues to serve as a catalyst for change, advocating for compassion and empathy for the world we share with all living beings.
Participating artists include Akhilesh, Anoop Panicker, Anup Kumar Chand, Anuradha Nalapat, Babu Xavier, Biji Bhaskar, Deepak KJ, Harmandeep Keerti, Ishrath Humraih, Jattinn Kochhar, Nabibakhsh Mansoori, Neeraj Bakshi, Pratul Dash, Prriti Mann, Pooja Singh, Ranjit Raman, Rathidevi, Ritu Bhutani, Ritu Kamath, Roy Thomas, Shanmukh Tamade, Shuvendu Sarkar, Siraj Saxena, Sonaali Durga Chaudhri, Tapan Dash, T. Narayan, Vinod Ambalathara, Varghese Kalathil and Venkat Shyam.
Ahead of the exhibition, Anuradha Nalapat reflected on the exhibition’s theme as, “The Elephant in the room nobody wants to talk about is Man, man, man. This Presence of Absence that man always feels, the absence of contentment, joy and reprieve in his life is replaced with the tango of angst, fear and greed. The result is discontentment and inadequacies felt in a forever state of turmoil, making him the most cornered, violent and destructive animal of all.”
She continued, “As far as the artists who have come together for this show are concerned, it is more of placing the responsibility and focus right where it should belong, rather than politicizing it. The focus being the Elephant in the room – Man himself. And the insanely beastly path he proudly walks. The artists here in their own committed ways attempt to explore and expose the many crusted and hardened layers that asphyxiate the true compassionate man. Having said that, they now also become voices of the voiceless. They only have these creatures to thank for, provoking and enabling them to rise to the occasion, and to evolve and fall back into their true compassionate nature.”
Anoop Kamath shared his views as, “This exhibition is an exploration of the complex relationship between man and the world around him. Through the lens of contemporary art, we aim to shed light on the uncomfortable truths that often go unaddressed, the destructive path humanity has chosen and the profound impact it has on the natural world and animals. Presence of Absence in Man challenges us to reflect on our actions and reimagine a world rooted in compassion, empathy, and coexistence.”
Art has the ability to influence perceptions, ignite conversations, and inspire action. The artists featured in this exhibition utilize powerful visual narratives to highlight humanity’s role in ecological imbalances—showing how our absence is, ironically, always present in the very issues that impact us.
Jim Tharakan, Founder, Arteflick said, “Art has the power to shape perceptions, spark discourse, and drive action. The artists featured in this exhibition use compelling visual narratives to raise awareness of humanity’s role in ecological imbalances—revealing how our absence is paradoxically ever-present in the very issues that affect us.
Arteflick is committed to empowering individuals to experience the transformative power of art. By championing living artists, offering curated experiences, credible advisory, and consulting, Arteflick supports those on the journey of collecting and investing in art. Through fostering deeper engagement with artists and their work, Arteflick continues to build a dynamic space where creativity flourishes and meaningful connections are made.”
About the Curators
Anoop Kamath is the founder of India’s first ezine on contemporary art – Matters of Art (MoA). He is also a creative photographer, visual artist and editorial designer. He has curated several exhibitions across India. He is based in Delhi NCR.
Anuradha Nalapat is currently a member of the Kerala Lalitha Kala Akademi. Nalapat is a contemporary artist and poet based in Kolar near Bengaluru.
This exhibition will offer a powerful reflection on human nature, the relationship between mankind and animals, and the urgent need for change.
