Identity and the processes of its fabrication are intriguing issues. At various levels - personal (psychological and physiological), social or national - 'identity' is something that, even though is such an innate part of our being, ironically, is a construct. The processes of that 'construction' are fascinatingly innovative and imaginative and most interestingly in conformity with socio-psychological, popular tropes. Facebook, for instance, is one of the greatest contemporary examples of being a platform that urges, even forces one to constantly 'invent' identities and project them in keeping with the protagonist's tastes/preferences etc.

Memory is a curious catalyst in the creation and propagation of this identity-formation. At a certain distance in time, it often becomes difficult to tell memory from imagination. Further, when it gets selective, for reasons that could range from trauma to catharsis, it complicates matters - not necessarily in a pejorative sense. Matters get problematised further, when multiple identities co-exist in perfect or not-so perfect harmony and each vies with the other to be brought to the forefront in tandem with convenience or whims of the heart. This show looks at the varied ways in which memory and identity coalesce or diverge to produce colourful mélanges.

Featured artists: Adip Dutta, Alic Dittmar, Anoli Perera and Paula Sengupta.

-Shrine Empire Gallery

Image: © Adip Dutta
Courtesy of the artist and Shrine Empire Gallery