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Where bodies claim their own space: A new exhibition in Pune enters the global dialogue about presence and power

Featuring works by Arieno Kera, Katayoun Karami, Monali Meher, Niloofar Rahnama, Ritika Sharma and Sejal Parekh, the show meditates on how bodies navigate tension-filled environments shaped by conflict, gender norms, surveillance and cultural erasure.

3 min readDec 1, 2025 08:31 PM IST

The show highlights how appearance itself becomes an act of resistance, memory and politics.

‘Appearing’ at VHC Gallery brings together artists examining identity, space and visibility in today’s conflicted world. (Express Photo)

In a video taken in a gallery space, Pune-born Belgium-based artist Monali Meher wears colourful blow-glass pieces on her body and walks precariously through a crowd. As she navigates her steps, the glass works keep falling off and she keeps arranging them. “This work sets the pace for the exhibition, Appearing, as it points to a very universal reality. It shows what it means for a person to appear, occupy and move around a space of tension,” says Yash Vikram, curator of the new exhibition at VHC gallery in Koregaon Park.

In a world that is furrowed with conflicts about occupying space, from wars between nations to the quiet resistance of minorities who are not meant to be seen in certain places, the exhibition becomes a comment on global sociopolitics. The works will be on display till January 10.

“The conflict about space is not restricted to India or even south Asia. But, as Indians, we are aware of issues, such as untouchability and women not supposed to appear in a space where only men are allowed. The exhibition explores what it means today, in the 21st century, to own a space and appear in a space,” says Vikram. The artists, Arieno Kera, Katayoun Karami, Meher, Niloofar Rahnama, Ritika Sharma and Sejal Parekh, explore some of the ways of appearing in a system from a number of perspectives.

When you enter the exhibition, the first work you see is by Kera, an artist from a Nagaland tribe, who creates works that detect the colonial language of describing tribes, her identity and her culture. The work talks about the body; a viewer can tell that it is a female body but it is very ungendered with a lot of tattoos. “Tattoos hold a lot of significance in the Naga tribe because they are also memory markers. The artist is using her work as the way to archive these tattoos that might be losing significance as tribal people move towards a more contemporary or homogenized way of seeing their culture,” says the curator.

Parekh, who was born in India but lives in London, looks at women’s labour but within domestic spaces. A nine-minute video channel keeps playing, showing the artist rotating a chakki. “It shows how women have to put in the physical labour in shaping a home, and how the home itself is a gendered space,” says Vikram.

Sharma has created paintings that look at surveillance, which has become a reality for everybody living in cities. “You know that there’s someone always looking at us, watching us. There’s a constant surveillance of cameras, the government and the systems within governments. Whether this is for the good or bad is given to us to decide,” says Vikram. The artist presents the point of view of a camera vision, where one can see a body moving within a space but also about violence that is happening, such as a person snatching another’s bag.

Karami, an artist from Iran, uses photographs but with some people taken out of it. “She is exploring memory, and how absence itself can become a very important way of appearing,” says the curator.

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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