Jyoti Bhatt’s Retrospective Shines at Latitude 28
Few artists remain as creatively active in their 90s as Jyoti Bhatt, one of India’s most revered modernists. Painter, printmaker, photographer, and educator, Bhatt’s contributions to Indian art span more than seven decades. A newly launched retrospective exhibition at Gallery Latitude 28 in New Delhi celebrates this rich legacy, offering visitors an immersive glimpse into his prolific printmaking period.
Curated by acclaimed artist Rekha Rodwittiya, Through the Line & Lens brings together a compelling collection of Bhatt’s works—ranging from etchings and lithographs to serigraphs, photography, and intimate personal writings. The show presents not just an archive of art, but a portrait of the artist himself—his vision, methods, and memories shaped by time and culture.
Bhatt, a pioneering figure of the Baroda School, is known for his bold experimentation with form and medium. While his paintings are widely celebrated, this exhibition focuses on his evolution as a printmaker, a phase in his career that reflects both technical mastery and a deeply rooted engagement with Indian visual culture. Each print—whether an etching or a serigraph—reveals Bhatt’s keen eye for detail, his symbolic use of traditional motifs, and a narrative style that speaks across time.
A standout feature of the show is Bhatt’s Living Traditions of India photographic series. These images, taken during his travels across rural India, capture vanishing customs, rituals, and art forms practiced in the farthest corners of the country. Far from being mere documentary records, these photographs carry a poetic, ethnographic depth—preserving moments that embody the soul of India’s folk heritage. Bhatt’s lens, much like his pen and brush, is guided by empathy and curiosity, transforming ordinary subjects into visual stories of great cultural significance.
Rodwittiya, who has long been a close associate of Bhatt, brings a personal touch to the curation. The show unfolds not just chronologically but thematically, leading viewers through phases of experimentation and introspection. Personal writings, notes, and photographs enrich the exhibition with a sense of intimacy, as if stepping into the artist’s studio or sketchbook. One can see how Bhatt’s humanistic ideals and academic rigor fuse into works that are both visually striking and intellectually stimulating.
Beyond the aesthetics, Through the Line & Lens resonates with Bhatt’s larger philosophy—that art must engage with life. Whether capturing the playful innocence of a tribal mural or the solemn ritual of a local festival, Bhatt’s work consistently reflects his commitment to the documentation and celebration of India’s pluralistic traditions.
The exhibition is on view at Latitude 28, 1st Floor, F-208, Lado Sarai, New Delhi, until 28th May 2025. It offers an extraordinary opportunity for art enthusiasts, students, and admirers of Indian modernism to witness a comprehensive overview of Jyoti Bhatt’s legacy. As the lines of his prints and the lens of his camera converge in this carefully curated show, audiences are invited to explore the artistic journey of a man who has dedicated his life to capturing the soul of a nation.
In an age when speed and novelty often overshadow depth and reflection, Jyoti Bhatt’s enduring practice stands as a testament to the power of art that is patient, profound, and persistently rooted in cultural memory.