“Shadows of Empire”, a new art exhibition by Jit Chowdhury and Kaushal Parikh in Mumbai, explores Khotachiwadi’s fading colonial heritage through mixed-media narratives.
About the Exhibition
Opening on March 21 at 47A Khotachiwadi, Shadows of Empire unpacks the layered history of one of Mumbai’s oldest heritage settlements. Through distinct yet complementary approaches, artists Jit Chowdhury and Kaushal Parikh reimagine the Portuguese-British imprint that continues to shape this cultural quarter. The show runs until April 19, inviting visitors to rediscover the wadi’s timeless character.
Artist Practice
Kolkata-based visual storyteller Jit Chowdhury constructs intricate collages of shola-pith and indigo, materials rooted in Bengal’s natural mangrove ecosystem. His works offer a tactile connection to history—translating imperial legacies into everyday portraits and textured compositions that blend fragility with memory.
Artwork by Jit Chowdhury
Meanwhile, Kaushal Parikh, a Mumbai-born photographer and painter, captures Khotachiwadi’s overlooked human stories. Once a banker, Parikh now turns his lens and brush toward the wadi’s colonial-era homes, transforming them into vivid expressions of humour, resilience, and nostalgia that pulse beneath the neighbourhood’s colourful façades.
Key Themes of Shadows of Empire
At its core, Shadows of Empire contemplates how colonial residues persist within India’s modern identity. Through personal observation and layered imagery, both artists reveal how spaces, people, and architecture continue to echo hybrid histories—remnants that are neither completely erased nor fully embraced. The exhibition reflects on how these imprints shape contemporary life in postcolonial Mumbai.
Curatorial Vision
Hosted by 47A Khotachiwadi, a gallery set in a restored 19th-century Portuguese-style home, the exhibition exemplifies the venue’s commitment to bridging art, craft, and design. The curatorial vision celebrates research-led practice and interdisciplinary dialogue, encouraging viewers to trace the evolving intersections between heritage and modernity.
Exhibition Details
Title: Shadows of Empire
Artists: Jit Chowdhury and Kaushal Parikh
Venue: 47A Khotachiwadi, Girgaum, Mumbai
Dates: March 21 – April 19, 2026
Timings: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Closed Mondays)
This article has been created from the press kit shared with Abir Pothi. For press releases and related queries, write to editor@abirpothi.com.
Cover Image: Kaushal Parikh
Athmaja Biju is the Editor at Abir Pothi. She is a Translator and Writer working on Visual Culture.
