A Night of Art, Social Impact, and Film-Inspired Glamour
The St. Regis, Mumbai, will set the stage for the second edition of the MASH Ball, an event blending the worlds of art, cinema, and humanitarian advocacy. Orchestrated by philanthropist and art patron Shalini Passi, founder of MASH, this year’s gala unites India’s creative and philanthropic leaders in unwavering support of UNICEF India, with all proceeds directed toward children’s Art-Based Therapy (ABT) and Early Childhood Development (ECD) programmes.
Shalini Passi’s Vision: Empowering Children Through Creative Action
Curated and conceptualized by Shalini Passi, the MASH Ball is a movement to champion India’s most vulnerable children. The event’s central aim is to ensure that every child’s rights are safeguarded, with a focus on health, nutrition, clean water, protection, education, and opportunity.
Francis Newton Souza, Untitled (1964), Dhoomimal Gallery & Narayan Biswas, Panch Metal (2024), Paletter Gallery
The 2025 edition’s art showcase, curated by Shalini Passi, spans celebrated modernists, contemporary visionaries, and international talents. Highlights include:
- Francis Newton Souza, Untitled (1964), Dhoomimal Gallery: A striking oil on board from Souza’s renowned “Head” series, transforming the human visage into a mask-like symbol of resilience and vulnerability. The piece, influenced by Cubism and Expressionism, stands out for its bold outlines and dynamic palette of reds, greens, and blacks—both sacred and grotesque, intensely critiquing and reflecting the human condition.
- Michelle Poonawala, AquaVitae (2024): This mixed media work, employing acrylic paint and metal butterflies on canvas board, meditates on the life-giving force of water. “AquaVitae” invokes purity, renewal, and survival, urging viewers to recognize water not simply as a resource but as the essence of existence.
- Raghava K.K., La liberté de Guernica (2023), Volte Gallery: Part of The Guernica Project, this acrylic on canvas reimagines Picasso’s legacy through a contemporary lens, exploring freedom, trauma, and hope in times of conflict.
- Ashiesh Shah, KALAGHODA, Atelier Ashiesh Shah: Crafted from cast aluminium and glass, this sculptural piece investigates form, urban iconography, and the transformative power of design in Mumbai’s cultural landscape.
- Vibha Galhotra, The Final Feast, Nature Morte Gallery: Galhotra’s provocative narrative, “A mirror to our times…privilege scripts escape while the majority inherit decay,” is vividly articulated, making the work a powerful social commentary on inequality and environmental degradation.
- Rocco Ritchie, Self Portrait Before, Art Be A Part: This self-portrait—gifted by Rocco Ritchie (son of Madonna and Guy Ritchie)—contributes directly to UNICEF India’s outreach and inclusive education programs via the SpArK (Special +Art+Kids) initiative.
- Narayan Biswas, Panch Metal (2024), Paletter Gallery: A celebration of material and craft, Biswas’ work continues his exploration of tradition and innovation in contemporary Indian sculpture.
- Ann Carrington, Stainless Steel Cutlery Sculptures (2025), Tara Art: British artist Carrington repurposes humble cutlery to create gleaming, intricate forms, elevating the ordinary into extraordinary objets d’art.
- Ryan Koopmans, Still from Video Art: Koopmans’ video works offer a fresh, immersive dimension to the evening, fostering dialogue between moving image and static form.
Fashion in Films: A Glamorous Theme for a Noble Cause
Themed “Fashion in Films,” the second MASH Ball promises an unforgettable night for Mumbai’s art, design, and film communities. Major industrialists, renowned artists, visionary designers, and changemakers will converge, reflecting on cinema’s power to shape memory and identity. By aligning creativity with philanthropy, MASH and UNICEF India foster a future where advocacy and artistry are inseparable, and every child’s potential is recognized and nurtured.
Cover Image: Raghava K.K., La liberté de Guernica (2023), Volte Gallery
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