Recently, at the State Art Gallery of Art in Hyderabad, Maqaam Foundation hosted an inclusive art exhibition.
From April 20-23, Delhi’s Maqaam Foundation and Hyderabad’s Spacefelt collaborated to orchestrate an art exhibition under the theme of ‘Inclusive’, spotlighting artists grappling with disabilities. 50 artworks by 35 emerging talents, some of them with visual and auditory impairments, and others situated on the autism spectrum, were showcased in this inclusive art exhibition.
Founded by artist Niyaaz Hussain, Maqaam Foundation draws inspiration from Niyaaz’s personal journey, growing up with a locomotor disability in the slums of Delhi. Through this foundation, he endeavors to provide support to children with disabilities and nurture their artistic aptitudes, addressing the challenges he himself encountered as an artist.
The event also played host to esteemed artists from Hyderabad, including K Muralidhar, Sachin Jaltare, Prachi Deo, Sridevi Prasad, Nabat Lakhani, and Sana Smriti, who graced the occasion as guests of honor. Artist and social entrepreneur Rumana Sinha Sehgal, serving as the chief guest, presented her captivating art installation ‘Resurgence,’ which emerged as a highlight of the exhibition.
What distinguished this exhibition was the integration of QR codes alongside each artwork, offering succinct audio descriptions—a thoughtful addition facilitated by Spacefelt, a startup dedicated to assisting individuals with visual impairments in their day-to-day lives through its adhesive QR code labels.
Among the exhibited artworks, Namira Samrin’s ‘Shades of Life’, commanded attention. Despite facing challenges due to low vision, 24-year-old Namira channeled her energy into painting, with her passion intensifying during the lockdowns. Her parents enlisted the help of online art teachers, enabling her to hone her skills. Namira typically gravitates towards abstract and tactile paintings. ‘Shades of Life’, crafted with acrylic and POP, exudes vibrancy through a unique fusion of red, orange, and black hues, enhanced by its textured appearance.
The exhibition showcases works by both seasoned and emerging artists. Niyaz said that this exhibition stood for its unwavering commitment to accessibility. Each artwork is accompanied by audio descriptions tailored for visually-impaired visitors, while select paintings incorporate tactile elements. These accessibility features are made possible through the collaboration with Spacefelt, an assistive technology startup headquartered in Hyderabad. “This marks the first occasion where I have curated this exhibition beyond Delhi. The age range of the participating artists spans from seven to sixty-plus.”
Another noteworthy piece that captured the attention of visitors was Sarang Jaltare’s ‘Journey Within’. A self-taught artist, Sarang employed red, grey, and black acrylics on canvas to present a 30X30-inch abstract artwork exploring the complexities of romantic sentiments. Drawing inspiration from nature, Sarang has been honing his craft for the past four years.
Additionally, the exhibition showcased Rumana Sinha Sehgal’s art installation ‘Resurgence,’ symbolically representing the triumph over challenges through a harmonious blend of natural elements and human resilience.
