Art's impact on society took center stage at The Hindu Huddle. Shilo Shiv Suleman,an award-winning artist,stressed that artists aren't just mirrors but creators. She spoke during a session called “Memories,Medium,or Message? Art as a mirror to a world in transition.” Joining her were fellow artist Seema Kohli and art collector Abhishek Poddar,moderated by Narayan Lakshman, Opinion Editor at The Hindu.
Suleman shared her journey with the Fearless Collective . She co-founded it in 2012 after Delhi's protests sparked by the Nirbhaya case. Her first protest was a whirlwind of rage,power,beauty. “It felt like we needed a counter-force,” she said,describing how the collective turned trauma into vibrant beauty. Now,they've painted murals in 25 countries. Suleman believes art thrives during fear and trauma. It transforms,subverts,diverges from typical activism.
Session dug into art's deep significance . Lakshman pushed panelists to ponder how societies tell their stories in times of change. He said during transitions,storytelling helps societies remember,understand,create meaning. That's where art steps in. He asked if art resonates more as memory,medium,or message,urging panelists to align with their practices.
Kohli emphasized art as memory,exploring layers of consciousness. “That is the way I go into it; a very simple dialogue I have with myself,” she explained. Suleman focused on medium,still engaging with tech despite leaving Bengaluru. For Poddar,art's essence is meaning. Artists,he said,stand on society's fringes,voicing what others can't. “That is the importance that I look for in art,” he noted.
Panelists also tackled art institutions' roles amid shifting socio-political tides. They debated if art is elitist,how it sways public opinion. Suleman urged for shared emotional spaces where diverse realities coexist. “I see that being very active shapeshifting that we as artists can do,” she stated. Art's potential to spark dialogue in divided world is huge.
As talks continued,one thing was clear: art isn't just society's reflection. It's a dynamic force challenging norms,inspiring change. Insights from Suleman,Kohli, and Poddar showed art's power in navigating today's complexities…
