‘Stories the Soil Remembers’, a solo exhibition by Delhi-based artist Jyoti Tyagi, presents a body of work rooted in themes of nature, memory and ecological sensitivity. It is on view at Shridharani Gallery, Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi. The show has been curated by noted poet and art critic Prayag Shukla.
It began with a persistent question: what does the ground hold when it is continuously built upon? The works seek answers through a quiet engagement with the unseen layers of the city. Rather than offering resolution, they invite contemplation.
In a time marked by rapid advancement, Tyagi emphasises the importance of reflection — questioning not only how far society progresses, but also what is left behind. This body of work becomes an invitation to listen: to the soil, to silenced narratives, and to the stories that remain buried beneath the city’s relentless expansion. Through her practice, she attempts to hold onto the possibility of coexistence, however fragile it may be.
Working with charcoal, acrylic, and mixed media, Tyagi creates evocative works on paper and canvas that are both visually engaging and conceptually layered. Through recurring motifs such as peacocks, trees, and seemingly barren landscapes, the artist reflects on the deep interdependence between humans and nature. Her work speaks of the nourishment we receive from the natural world, while also raising questions about care, responsibility, and environmental fragility.
She works primarily with charcoal, soft pastels and acrylic on canvas. While charcoal and pastels enable raw, spontaneous mark-making, acrylic allows her to build layers and depth. She often scratches into the surface, creating etching-like marks that introduce tension and a tactile quality. These marks evoke a sense of time — something simultaneously being constructed and eroded.
A significant aspect of her practice lies in observing the relationship between urban spaces and nature. As cities expand, nature recedes — often quietly and unnoticed. She repeatedly returns to this tension. Her works are not traditional landscapes but rather spaces where disparate elements attempt to coexist. Birds frequently appear in her compositions, acting as subtle presences within these shifting environments. They embody both displacement and resilience, opening up reflections on larger ecological concerns without imposing fixed meanings.
On view till May 14