Sarala’s Art International and Artworld proudly present Garden of Memories I, a landmark exhibition commemorating sixty years of Sarala’s Art Centre, one of South India’s oldest and most enduring spaces dedicated to modern and contemporary art.
Opening on 8 March 2026 at Lalit Kala Akademi, Chennai, the exhibition brings together a remarkable selection of works by artists who have shaped the gallery’s journey across six decades. Conceived as both a tribute and a reflection, Garden of Memories I revisits the artistic relationships, conversations and histories that have grown alongside the gallery since its founding in 1965.
Sarala’s Art Centre was established in Chennai by Soli J. Daruwala and Moti Daruwala, pioneers who introduced one of the first professional gallery platforms for modern art in South India at a time when the Indian art world was largely centred in Mumbai and Delhi. Their vision created an important cultural space in Chennai (then Madras), where artists could exhibit, experiment and engage with collectors and audiences.
Over the decades, the gallery has evolved through generations while remaining committed to nurturing artists and preserving the legacy of modern Indian art. Today, under the leadership of Sarala Banerjee and Bishwajit Banerjee, along with the involvement of the third generation, the gallery continues to expand its presence through exhibitions, publications and international collaborations.
Garden of Memories I, reflects this remarkable journey. The exhibition brings together works spanning multiple generations of artists associated with the gallery — painters, sculptors and printmakers whose practices represent the diverse artistic language that has emerged from the Madras art scene and beyond. Rather than a conventional retrospective, the exhibition functions as a living archive. Each work stands as a marker of time, memory and artistic dialogue. Together, they form a collective narrative of friendships, collaborations and shared histories that have defined Sarala’s Art Centre for six decades. Presented in the historic spaces of Lalit Kala Akademi, Chennai, the exhibition also pays homage to the city of Madras itself — a city whose art schools, studios and galleries have played a vital role in shaping the trajectory of modern art in South India.
As Sarala’s Art Centre celebrates its 60th Anniversary, Garden of Memories I honours not only the gallery’s founders but also the artists, collectors, writers, curators and patrons who have been part of this remarkable journey.
Exhibition Details
Opening: 8th March 2026 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Title: Garden of Memories I
Presented by: Artworld & Sarala’s Art International
Venue: Lalit Kala Akademi, No. 4 Greams Road, Chennai
Exhibition Dates: 8th till 14th March 2026 (On View to Public)
Website: www.artworldindia.com
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