Climacteric Whispers : Vibha Galhotra at Goodman Gallery, London
- tanishagandhi96
- Sep 12, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 4, 2024
9 July 2024 - 17 August 2024
Written by : Tanisha Gandhi
"This exhibition at Goodman is a significant moment for me as an artist. Introducing my work to UK audiences allows for a broader conversation about the urgent environmental issues we face globally." - Vibha Galhotra
The current horrors of the world are poetically conveyed through the works in Vibha Galhotra’s first solo show in the UK at Goodman Gallery London, a must-see exhibition that I was absolutely right not to miss. The title Climacteric Whispers—with "climacteric" meaning both a critical period and one with far-reaching consequences—perfectly encapsulates the urgency of our current crisis.
This exhibition is a culmination of Galhotra’s multidimensional artistic process over the past 15 years, marking just the beginning of what could be considered her magnum opus. The works on display draw from two of her series: Wounded (2019) and Flow (2015), both converging toward the installation that introduces a new series titled Beneath. The Wounded series, rendered on Hanji paper, reveals the scars we are inflicting on the Earth—an evocative metaphor for the environmental damage we continue to cause.
In the Flow series, the UK is introduced to her signature material: ghungroos, traditional Indian anklet bells used in classical dance. By removing them from their original context of movement and harmony, and silencing them within her tapestries, Galhotra creates a powerful symbol of the stillness and voicelessness of our natural ecosystems, which suffer silently under the weight of pollution.
Her most recent work, associated with her ambitious project Future Fables, comments on the devastating impact of wars and natural disasters. Another iteration of this project will be developed during Galhotra’s residency at the NIROX Foundation in South Africa later this year, which promises to be an exciting continuation of her exploration of these themes.
The multiple landscapes and waterscapes that dominate the exhibition space make it clear that Galhotra has mastered the materials she employs. As an artist deeply engaged with the world around her, she uses her art to communicate the profound transformations wrought by climate change and consumerism on our planet. Her work is a call to action, urging viewers to reflect on our present circumstances and reconsider how we inhabit the Earth. I eagerly anticipate what lies ahead in Galhotra’s artistic journey.
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