WILD GRASS is a thought-provoking exhibition curated by Yash Vikram that explores the changing face of rural India. In a world moving rapidly toward digital transformation and massive infrastructure projects, the “village” is often misunderstood. Wild Grass exhibition moves away from the old-fashioned idea that rural life is either a perfect, untouched paradise or a backward place that needs fixing. Instead, it looks at the modern village as a space of constant change and negotiation. Through the eyes of five talented artists, the show highlights how rural areas are not disappearing but are actually reshaping themselves in response to modern pressures like climate change, migration, and new technology.
The collection brings together the work of Bhuri Bai, Hiren Patel, Mukesh Sah, Vaishali Oak, and Xewali Deka, all of whom create art rooted in their own personal experiences with the countryside. By using a variety of materials, from traditional tribal painting on canvas to layered textile art and depictions of modern farming, the artists show that the “rural” is a complex, living landscape. WILD GRASS invites viewers to look closer at these shifting environments and appreciate the village as a vital, evolving part of India’s contemporary identity.
About the Artists:-
Bhuri Bai – A pioneering Padma Shri (2021) awardee and one of India’s most significant contemporary tribal painters. She was the first woman from the Bhil community to transition traditional Pithora wall-painting onto paper and canvas, evolving her ancestral art into a vibrant new idiom. Since her early mentorship under Jagdish Swaminathan, her work has been featured in landmark global exhibitions at the Musée du Quai Branly (Paris) and MAP Academy. She currently practices as a resident artist at the Madhya Pradesh Tribal Museum.
Hiren Patel – A Vadodara-based artist and recipient of the prestigious Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation grant (2025), Patel holds a Master’s in Printmaking from the M.S. University of Baroda. His practice deeply examines the paradoxical realities of modern village farming in South Gujarat, exploring the tension between traditional agricultural roots and the environmental impacts of contemporary innovation. Having exhibited at major venues like Stir (New Delhi) and Rukshaan Art (Mumbai), his work serves as a critical bridge between the region’s rural landscapes and the evolving societal shifts of the 21st century.
Mukesh Sah – Born and raised amidst the rugged terrains and forests of Uttarakhand, Sah’s artistic practice is built upon the conceptual and material foundations of the Himalayan landscape. After a distinguished career as an Art Director for major media organizations, including The Times of India and Hindustan Times, he transitioned to a full-time creative practice in 2017 to translate his ecological roots into a contemporary visual language. His work has since gained significant international recognition, featuring in exhibitions at the K-Art Centre in South Korea and the Lalit Kala Akademi in New Delhi.
Vaishali Oak – A distinguished Pune-based textile artist, Oak seamlessly merges traditional Indian textile techniques with a painterly approach to her medium. Although she holds a master’s degree in Painting, she works primarily with fabric to create layered compositions that evoke the depth and nuance typically found in traditional paintings. Her work has been showcased in prestigious global venues, including solo exhibitions at Vida Heydari Contemporary and group shows at the National Crafts Museum in New Delhi and the World Textile Art 25th Anniversary in Miami. A recognized figure in fiber arts, she was honored with the Outstanding Artwork award at the 9th ‘From Lausanne to Beijing’ International Fiber Art Biennale in 2016.
Xewali Deka – Based in Assam, Deka is an artist and farmer whose interdisciplinary practice deeply engages with rural ecologies, labor, and collective memory. Holding an MFA from Visva-Bharati University, her work has been showcased at prominent platforms, including the India Art Fair’s Young Collectors Programme, Dhi Contemporary, and the Serendipity Arts Festival. Her contributions to contemporary art have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Inlaks Fine Art Award (2024) and the Lalit Kala Research Scholarship.
