The Wild Heart of Art: Shilo Shiv Suleman's Luminous Call to Liberation

Stepping into Travancore House for Shilo Shiv Suleman's 'Art of Liberation' exhibition, you're not just observing art, you're truly entering a world. It’s an unfolding experience, you could say, more ritual than mere display, where colours burst forth and narratives—ancient, personal, undeniably human—begin to whisper, then sing, all around you. Shilo, a name synonymous with vibrant, unapologetic expression, has, honestly, outdone herself here, crafting a space that feels both deeply intimate and gloriously expansive.

Curated by Myna Mukherjee of Maitri Cultural, this isn't some staid gallery showing. Oh no. From the very outset, with a performance that intertwined dance and sound, the intention was clear: to engage, to immerse, to liberate, yes, but also to feel. Shilo’s art, after all, has always pulsed with a vital energy, often celebrating the feminine spirit in its myriad forms, untamed and radiant. And here, in this meticulously imagined space, that pulse becomes almost a beat you can feel in your own chest.

What's striking is the sheer audacity of it all – the way Shilo blends the digital with the tactile, ancient myths with contemporary struggles. Her work often delves into stories of liberation, of bodies reclaiming their space, of women finding their voice amidst the echoes of generations. It’s art that dares to confront, certainly, but also art that offers profound healing. There’s a certain vulnerability, a raw honesty that permeates each piece, urging you, the viewer, to perhaps unburden yourself a little too.

The themes are potent: freedom from constraint, the glorious, messy beauty of nature, the raw power of sensuality, and the quiet strength found in community. You see it in the flowing lines, the vivid hues, the faces that gaze out at you with a mix of defiance and serene acceptance. It’s an exhibition, in truth, that doesn't just hang on walls; it breathes, it resonates, it almost beckons you into a dialogue about what liberation means in your own life, right now.

And that’s the magic, isn’t it? Shilo Shiv Suleman, with Myna Mukherjee’s discerning eye, has created not just an exhibition, but a sanctuary, a vibrant, living narrative. It's a testament to the power of art — not just to reflect, but to actively transform, to open doors within us that we might not even have realised were there. Go on, step in, and let her art work its peculiar, wonderful magic on you. It's truly something to behold.