Inner Vibes’26 brings 54 abstract artists together through the language of black, white and grey

Inner Vibes’26, an ongoing exhibition at Lalit Kala Akademi, Chennai, brings together 54 abstract artists who strip the visual language of art down to its bare essentials — black, white and the many greys in-between. Curated by Pune-based artist Deepak Sonar , the exhibition showcases monochrome as a discipline, where forms and texture take precedence over spectacle.

“I drew inspiration from the legendary artist Vasant Wankhede, who had mentioned the idea of challenging oneself to gain an understanding of depth and dimension, through the shades of black and white,” he says.  

Deepak believes that his idea for the exhibition was to evoke the sense of exploration involved in the artists’ structured identity. “This exhibition gave the artists an opportunity to experiment and challenge themselves, as using only shades of black and white is a limitation for them. The artists considered it an opportunity to explore the hidden meaning behind shadows and lights,” says Deepak.

Take, for instance, artist Anu Kulkarni’s untitled ink on canvas work, which captures the rhythms of the earth through forms that emerge and merge with landscapes, reflecting Nature’s shifting moods. Kulkarni chooses the aesthetics of black and white to create spontaneous lines, indicating the flow, rain, wind and dynamism of Nature.

For artist Jayant Joshi, his work titled Below Surface, that uses acrylic on canvas strips away the implications associated with using black and white. According to him, the painting pushes the audience to focus on the soul of the idea in a more direct manner, without frills.

“Through the exhibition, the audience can enjoy the interplay of shadows and light in play. Abstractions add an element of self-perception and imagination, which gives the viewer a sense of self-absorption and self-discovery through the artwork. They also bring their own meaning and cognition to the artworks, which makes an impactful expression possible,” says Deepak.

Finally, as Deepak points out, this exhibition will become a platform for the audience to experience stillness, life, emotion and everything beyond and within the game of dark and light. 

Inner Vibes’26 is ongoing till January 10 from 11am to 7pm at the Lalit Kala Akademi, Greams Road, Thousand Lights. Entry is free.