The geometrical structure of a beehive may seem robust on the outside, but is fragile and buzzing with life inside, and is made with the relentless effort of countless bees. Navani's latest exhibition titled 'Inhabited Geometries' at the Alliance Française de Delhi, compares a beehive with a phallus and a female torso, to say something deeper.
"A beehive seems very strong and architectonic, but at the same time it is so delicate that in harsh weather, it completely falls down to the ground. It's scattered forms again, but bees get at it again. Humans can get just as devastated by what goes in life, but we collect ourselves, and reinvent," said Richa Navani, who holds a PhD in fine arts from Delhi University, and a masters in fine arts from Jamia Millia Islamia.
The artist has also been a resident artist at many French institutions and is the third artist-in-focus in the Alliance Française's 'Back To France' series that promotes Indian artists with a French connection.
Navani's work cuts across space, and shows her viewers a glimpse of her village in Uttarakhand as well as of her travels in France. The show presents the abstract geometric forms that inhabit her work, meaningfully layered within the worlds of natural, sacred and architectonic.
It has been curated by art theorist Adwait Singh.
'Inhabited Geometries' is open for public viewing from November 9-25 at the Galerie Romain Rolland here. The first two exhibitions of the 'Back to France' series had showcased the works of artists Aishwarya Sultania and Reji Arackal.
( With inputs from IANS )