‘Satish Gujral 100: A Centenary Exhibition’ celebrates the multifaceted artist’s legacy

The “Satish Gujral 100: A Centenary Exhibition” at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), New Delhi honours one of India’s most pioneering creative figures. Marking his birth centenary, the exhibition traces over seven decades of artistic exploration from painting and sculpture to architecture and mixed media, showing how Gujral’s work responded to history, memory, and the human condition. (facebook: ngma delhi)

Who was Satish Gujral? Satish Gujral (1925 to 2020) was a multifaceted Indian artist, architect, sculptor, and muralist known for his bold experimentation across forms and materials. His work often blended emotional intensity with social and political commentary. (wikimedia commons)

Looking Back at his Legacy: The NGMA exhibition, running 16 January to 30 March 2026 showcases over 160 works spanning painting, sculpture, drawings, murals, tapestries, and mixed media. It presents Gujral’s artistic journey as both personal and historical. (wikimedia commons)

Art Shaped by History and Memory: The show begins with works influenced by his early life experiences, including the trauma of Partition, and moves through different themes across decades. Visitors encounter powerful pieces that confront loss, identity, and resilience. (wikimedia commons)

Experimentation Across Mediums: Gujral never limited himself to one form. The exhibition highlights his use of mixed media surfaces, unconventional materials, and sculptural approaches that blur boundaries between painting and structure, reflecting a restless creative spirit. (wikimedia commons)

Global Influences and Mexican Modernism: In the early 1950s, Gujral studied muralism in Mexico under artists like Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros. This period expanded his visual vocabulary and deepened his commitment to art that engaged society and human experience. (national art repository website)

Portraiture, Politics, and Personal Expression: Many works explore political and social themes from portraits of figures like Jawaharlal Nehru to pieces responding to conflict and emergency. Even formal portraits bear emotional depth rather than mere likeness. (instagram: gujral foundation)