Love checking out new art? Here's why you should check out this exhibition in Mumbai

Unseen Efforts by Rohan Punde

Instituted in 1995, Gallery Pradarshak's annual Vidyarthi Vishesh returns for its 28th edition, bringing together the works of emerging artists from art colleges across India. This year's edition will feature more than 25 student artists, seven-plus art colleges and across cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, and more in this year's edition.

More than just an exhibition, Vidyarthi Vishesh offers young artists a gateway to the professional art world. Selected through a jury comprising gallery-founder Savitha Hira and the team, the show features works spanning painting, sculpture and mixed media, with no overarching theme, allowing students complete creative and artistic freedom.

Attendees browse through the gallery. Pics courtesy/gallery pradarshak

Among this year's standout works is Unseen Efforts, a sculptural series by artist Rohan Punde, created from discarded plastic bottles, metal cans and other scrap materials to highlight the often-overlooked labour of waste collectors. Another notable work by Ashvita Meher transforms discarded fishing nets into an intricate artwork inspired by marine life, demonstrating how unconventional materials can be reimagined through art.

Untitled by Ashvita Meher

Hira explains, "The exhibition was conceived to bridge the gap between art colleges and professional galleries, giving students a platform to present their work while also learning practical aspects of the profession, from presentation and framing to signing and pricing their works. At the end of the day, every established artist has always started somewhere. Vidyarthi Vishesh provides them with the platform to celebrate those first exhibitions."

Savitha Hira

For visitors and first-time collectors, the exhibition offers the opportunity to discover promising new talent before they establish their careers.

On Today (July 31), August 1, August 11; 11 am to 7 pm (except Sundays)
At Gallery Pradarshak, Plot Number 338, 12th Road, Khar West.
Call 9920386641