Koregaon Park Art Exhibition: Architecture inspires this Delhi-based artist’s work

Delhi-based artist M Pravat on being inspired by architecture and how trees of Pune gives the city its intimate feel.

M Pravat's exhibition will be held till May 2.

Dust from construction sites, travel from the old to the new and, like a fugitive, floats everywhere

Earlier this month, Delhi-based artist M Pravat walked among the greenery of Koregaon Park, where his exhibition was being held at the new Vida Heydari Contemporary gallery, and was impressed by the way trees formed a part of the city’s architectural landscape. “I saw trees everywhere, and they gave Pune a comforting and intimate character,” he says. “I would like to come back, stay longer and see more of the buildings and trees,” he adds.

Architecture is a muse for Pravat’s artistic imagination, fuelling his large-scale, heavy works as well as small studies that he created during the pandemic. Way back in 2012, he had brought 7,000 bricks into his studio and tried to develop perspectives on buildings as if he were an architect. The title of the current show, Fugitive Dust, is inspired by the dust that is raised from the relentless construction activity in Delhi and never settles. “The dust travel from the old to the new and, like a fugitive, floats everywhere,” says the artist.

One of M Pravat’s pieces.

Sculptural installations, paintings, drawings, collage works and prints form the show curated by Dubai-based Sabih Ahmed. “Viewership is an important part of my work. I am trying to accumulate a lot in a certain space like tiny particles floating around,” he says. When a person starts viewing the work from a particular point, that’s where their journey starts and, as they step closer and closer to the work, they see the details ingrained in it. When they move away, they will see something else. “You may see the work itself moving,” says Pravat. The exhibition comprises art that Pravat has created from 2016 to 2021.

Pravat grew up in Kolkata and went to MS University, Baroda, for his graduation and post-graduation in painting. When he moved to Delhi, he was doing a lot of large-scale photo realistic paintings but the Capital gave him a “different feel”. He started painting interior spaces and gradually developed his architecture-inspired form. These works have travelled to venues across the world, from Colombo and Dubai to New York and Zurich. The exhibition at Vida Heydari Contemporary gallery gives a glimpse into the workings of Pravat’s mind through works that “where blue-prints, maps, architecture and geological land mass collapse into one another”.

The exhibition will be held till May 2

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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