Ballard Estate’s newest resident

Art in flux

The magic of Rukshaan Art is one that comes straight from its founder, Rukshaan Krishna. A woman of many words as well as visions, Rukshaan has a long history in the art world. She has now spent 16 years running a studio for emerging artists in Baroda. When Rukshaan Art opened its doors in Mumbai in March 2025, it did so without fanfare or spectacle. It arrived not with noise, but with quiet intent. This is not a space for the distracted; rather, it is for those whose curiosity is encouraged. The 3300-sq-ft gallery, with 13-foot ceilings, was meticulously planned. Rukshaan designed the space with a maze of walls that not only hold art but promise something new at every bend.

Now, the art

Art mirrors our lives, reflecting our joys, pains and the chaos around us. It challenges us to pause, reflect and laugh at life’s absurdities. The inaugural show, People of the Homeland, includes paintings, sculptures ceramics and more. Ajay Dhapa’s multi-religious upbringing shapes his miniatures, turning floral carpets into unexpected narratives. Picture this: a man precariously perched atop a 3D metal ladder on a cart, reaching for a fan to clean it. Absurd? Absolutely. Captivating? Unquestionably. A delightful rebellion, his art invites viewers to enjoy surreal stories where the mundane meets the fantastical.

Avinash Bhishnurkar, a bronze sculptor with a sense of humour as sharp as his chisel, reimagines age. His sculptures of elderly women defy expectations, celebrating the boldness of the golden years. One rocks Crocs and sunglasses straight out of Harry Potter, while another gazes skyward, bags in hand, lost in a moment of contentment. Girjesh Kumar Singh tackles weighty issues—quite literally—by repurposing brick and mortar from demolished constructions that explore migration and identity.

The remnants of history cling to their mortar, speaking to our collective past and the desire for belonging. The artist’s precision turns these pieces into stairways, trees and architectural elements. Gulab Kapadiya’s watercolours elevate the ordinary to the sacred. Through delicate brushstrokes on rice paper, he transforms humble vegetable sellers and labourers into icons. His painting of a man in a banana plantation reflects a deep connection to the earth and celebrates honest toil. Jagadeesh Guttula’s sculptures blur the line between function and transcendence. Nilesh Kumavat’s mud and wheat husk portraits capture the raw beauty of rural life. The textured surfaces reflect the wrinkles, blending realism and abstraction while evoking life’s impermanence. Sanjay Barot’s large-scale canvases explore colour, texture and societal structures, balancing order and chaos. His human figures evoke isolation and surveillance, reflecting the tension between identity and the world.

“The artists explore the multifaceted concept of belonging and the dilemmas it poses. Each, using a unique medium, creates a space where humour, beauty, pain and joy converge, transcending expression to encourage us to perceive the world through a lens of wonder”, says Gallerist Rukshaan Krishna. For 17 years, Rukshaan has curated The Baroda March, a tribute to her love for Baroda’s art scene, and will yet again be on view from 31 March to 27 April 2025.

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