Navigating the Multiverse: Why You Need to Be at NGMA This Wednesday

In a city as relentlessly kinetic as Mumbai, it’s rare to find a space that forces you to pause, breathe, and confront the interiority of the creative process. This Wednesday, June 24, the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), in partnership with the Dr. Shantilal K. Somaiya School of Art, is offering exactly that: a deep dive into the intersection of identity and creation.

The upcoming panel discussion, "BEING AN ARTIST, BEING A WOMAN: Many Selves, Many Worlds," promises to be more than just an academic talk; it is a vital exploration of the dual, often overlapping, realities of living as a woman and an artist in the contemporary landscape.

A Powerhouse Lineup

Moderated by the insightful Amrita Gupta Singh, the panel features four formidable voices in the Indian contemporary art circuit, each known for their distinct visual language and intellectual rigor:

• Shakuntala Kulkarni: Renowned for her evocative, often performative work that navigates the politics of space and the female body.

• Prajakta Potnis: Celebrated for her subtle, haunting installations that reveal the fragility hidden within domestic and institutional structures.

• Yardena Kurulkar: A master of complex mediums, her work often probes the philosophical tensions between life, death, and the body.

• Saviya Lopes: Known for her intimate, observational approach to identity and the material culture of daily life.

Why It Matters

For those of us who track the shifts in culture—beyond the glitter of the mainstream—this discussion hits on the core of what it means to create. It touches on the "many selves" a woman inhabits: the artist, the daughter, the critic, the observer, and the subject. By bringing these four distinct perspectives together, the event aims to deconstruct the myths of singular genius and instead celebrate the nuanced, messy, and brilliant realities of the artistic life.

Event Details

Whether you’re an aspiring artist, a seasoned collector, or simply someone interested in the evolving discourse of gender and creativity, this is an essential mid-week engagement.

• When: Wednesday, June 24, 2026

• Where: NGMA, Mumbai

• The Schedule:

  • 5:30 PM: Tea/Coffee and conversation

  • 6:00 PM: Panel Discussion

• Registration: Spaces are limited. Ensure you visit the official social media handles of the Dr. Shantilal K. Somaiya School of Art or NGMA to find the registration link in their bio.

Don't miss the chance to witness these voices converge. It’s not just an evening of conversation—it's a front-row seat to the intellectual pulse of Mumbai’s art scene.