Immerse in humourous street art but in a gallery as this Kochi-based artist comes to Mumbai

Shakuntala, 2026. Pics Courtesy/artist, Muziris Contemporary

AMIDST governments and corporations across the world trying to tailor social media narratives, art became the street's idea of resistance. Young protestors in Nepal marched with Luffy's pirate flag from the Manga comic One Piece in 2025; memes calling on pop-culture with irreverent tongue-in-cheek humour ruffled thick-skinned politicos at the recent student protests in Delhi. It has always been thus, says Guesswho. The Kochi-based artist will make his Mumbai debut with the exhibition, Stick No Bills, which opens at the Muziris Contemporary in Colaba this Saturday.

Street speak

Since 2012, the graffiti artist has been quietly leaving behind striking images that have transform pop culture moments to turn the urban streets, from Kochi to Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru into a living canvas. His anonymity adds another layer of mystique. "A deliberate choice," he confesses.

Stick No Bills, 2026

From Mr Bean dressed in a mundu, to Jim Carrey's Mask performing Kathakali, or the intended spelling error of Barking News, the artist's works reflect how art and visual memes can reclaim public spaces for dialogue in a country where such spaces are growing rare. The title of the exhibition is a tongue-in-cheek remark to a city inundated with banners. "A beautiful protest. A clarion call to break the frames that restrict the idea of art, and reclaim it for the lonely child inside," author and artist Appupen describes the artist's works in his curatorial note.

The Aristocract, 2026

Yet, such artworks have always remained anti-establishment; thriving outside galleries. Guesswho admits, "This show would never have happened 10 or 15 years ago. Yet, it aims to challenge the so called ‘gallery standards'; not in terms of the quality and skills, but in terms of content. Why can't the content be more fun, approachable and accessible, and still be fulfilling as any other viewing experience?"

Changing times

Valid question, and gallerist Joe Cyril concurs, "We are in that era, where the art has moved from the outside to inside galleries, and from galleries to people's screens. In the end, social media is the new street and amplifies whatever strikes a chord with the public."

Barking News, 2026

To speak the language of the streets is no mean skill. In Guesswho's art, pop-culture and familiar iconography is reinterpreted to connect to the masses. "They help people to identify, connect and appreciate the re-imagined context and relate to it easily even if they're not art enthusiasts," he points out. And the streets have begun to speak.

FROM August 22 to September 30; 11 am to 7 pm
AT Muziris Contemporary, Arsiwala Mansion, Colaba.