Objects, memory and space in conversation

This solo exhibition - Silent Narratives: Object in Dialogue, marks the return of artist Malay Saha after a twelve-year gap. It brings together recent works that continue his inquiry into memory, materiality, and spatial relationships. Trained in Santiniketan and with a long-standing interest in domestic objects, Malay explores how everyday forms—such as chairs, beds, and pillows—can carry complex meanings tied to absence, authority, and personal history. The artist’s practice draws from the tradition of miniature painting, particularly its use of multiple viewpoints and fluid spatial divisions. These elements inform his layered compositions, where fixed perspective is replaced by shifting viewpoints. In this body of work, he moves away from geometric grids and embraces circular forms and layered paper surfaces, offering a more immersive engagement with space. The exhibition also features an interactive element from the opening, where guests reflected on everyday objects placed before them, speaking about their personal significance.
This created an exchange of interpretations, encouraging a deeper connection between the artworks and the viewers. Malay’s approach combines formal experimentation with a tactile language shaped by lived experience. His surfaces are often marked with stitch-like patterns, recalling the woven mat he once slept on. These marks suggest both labor and memory. Presented in Kolkata, this exhibition is a continuation of the artist’s long engagement with the city’s cultural context. It offers a space to reflect on shifting forms, spatial dynamics, and the quiet presence of the everyday.