“How far is it?”
” You are almost there, walk straight ahead; you can’t miss it.” The autorickshaw driver pointed towards a tree-lined street flanked by blocks of buildings.
It is a bright sunny day in Delhi and I am going to see India’s first public art district at the Lodhi Colony. This ambitious project by the St+art India Foundation, a non-profit organisation that works on art projects in public spaces kicked off in December 2015. The two- month long art festival had local and international street artists putting up murals and installations to popularise the concept of ‘Art for All.’ I came to know about it through a colleague who also suggested a curated walking tour. It would be interesting to have someone point out the nuances of the art to an ignoramus like me but I would rather wander on my own and explore.
Lodhi Colony is a government residential colony. It is centrally located and the buildings present a wonderful facade. Most of the artwork is seen over the walls between Khanna Market and Meherchand Market. There are no signposts; one can walk around and spot the murals leisurely.
This wall with the bright colored birds by the Mexican artist Senkoe was dazzling. Feathered friends seem to be a favorite subject for many street artists. Having seen some of his other works I can now make out his signature style:
Right across is the mural by artist Suiko titled The Lotus. I like the way the artists have made use of the archways and windows of the building.
The next block has a lady on the wall:
Now I am looking up and see an astronaut sitting on top of a meteorite. The astronaut represents someone who can see the larger picture or look at things from a different perspective. Interesting!
Here is the calligraffiti by the Dutch artist Neils Shoe Meulman:
Sans serifs no letters
and no words to read
sans words no signs
no names in the streets
just rows of buildings
and gardens sans weeds.
From the painted poem I walked over to the next wall which reminded of a classroom: happy children, birds, flowers, and fish.
Moving further I see more blues and fish:
The sight of the blazing pink walls stopped me in my tracks.
I could not understand the abstract art. The St+art site informs that the duo chose the colour to figuratively mark the feminine element in a public space. Empowering art!
Midway through the ‘art therapy’ hunger pangs forced me to take a break.
Reference:
https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/st-art-india
It has such soul. I should go here.
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I couldn’t agree more. Thank you.
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LUV this, Sidaran! Will be doing a reblog on GLaM soon. Actually, if you don’t mind, I’ll do a via.
I just have to open with the bush bird pic!
FAB!!! 😀
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You are my guru, Resa! Wish you were with me on this mural hunt. Thank you very much.
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😀 I love mural hunting! We’d have fun together! 😀
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Amazing paintings dear Sidran, wonderful photographs. Thank you, Love, nia
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My pleasure to share it with you, Nia. Thank you.
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These are so vibrant; I love street art. Great photos.
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This was a pleasant surprise! Wish I had more time. Thanks for your appreciation.
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What a stunning experience. It’s a side of Delhi most visitors don’t get to experience. Loving the astronaut on top of the meteorite and how that particular window shows greenery through it.
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You are right, it was surprising that even most of the local folks were unaware of this place.
The green branches seem to embellish the murals. Thank you.
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Pingback: Dateline: Delhi Street Art – Graffiti Lux and Murals
Thanks for sharing this wonderful paintings with us.
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Colorful Delhi 🙂
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The murals are amazing!
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a beautiful and colorful gallery of wonderful paintings. I really love the bird with the tree. Thanks for visiting my blog, regards Mitza
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That bird is a stunner. Thank you, Mitza.
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Colorful art, beautiful! It colors a city that would otherwise look a bit gloomy, so I think.
Best regards, Heidi
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Thank you, Heidi, that’s why I chose the bare walls as the header.
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Wonderfully vibrant murals!
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So vibrant and alive! Thank you for the journey!
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Yes, it has made the ordinary streets lively. Thank you.
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Love how all these pictures capture the very essence of Delhi!
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I am glad to hear that, thank you.
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Wow. I had never heard of this before. Just loved the creativity.
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I wish they include more public spaces! Thank you.
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These are as wonderful as the photos in the other (post-brunch) post. I particularly love the Senkoe, Suiko, Nafir and Neil Shoe Meulman pieces. Can you post the locations of these pieces, or at least where one should begin walking in Lodhi? I don’t know how soon I’ll be back in Delhi, but I would sure love to visit these wonderful works of art. Thanks for hunting out these gems and posting your excellent photos. The one of Nafir’s lady with the man on the bicycle in front of her is particularly good.
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Yes, they have given the right makeover to the ordinary streets. I took the metro up to Jor Bagh station and walked to the Lodhi Colony. It is quite easy to locate. Hope you get to see them soon. Thank you, Aliza.
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Awesome clicks! Great post. 👍
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One can’t go wrong with such stunning artworks all around. Thank you very much.
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Such a richness and abundance of street art. Gotta love it. Beautiful captures.
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I am also impressed by the largesse of these amazing artists. Thank you.
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So colourful and beautiful!
I really like your photos, Sidran. They always show me very special things from a wonderful country far away. Street Art is a very special kind of art that interests me a lot. I am often amazed at the wonderful works of art on the walls. Thanks for your wonderful article!
Best wishes to you from Germany…
Rosie
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Street art is fascinating. I have a lot of respect and admiration for the artists. Thank you, Rosie.
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Wonderful paintings
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