You're Growing on Me – A Solo Exhibition by Dutch Royal Painting Prize Winner Shivangi Kalra

Experience the Intersection of Memory, Architecture, and Social Commentary in Mumbai’s Vibrant Art Scene

Dates: 1st March – 30th March 2025

Venue: Method, 86, Nagindas Master Rd, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001

Entry: Free & Open to the Public

Method Kala Ghoda is proud to present You're Growing On Me, a deeply evocative exhibition by Shivangi Kalra, a rising star in the global art scene. Winner of the prestigious Dutch Royal Painting Prize 2024, Shivangi is one of the most exciting contemporary Indian artists, renowned for her ability to weave nostalgia, architecture, and social narratives into intricate oil paintings. Running from March 1 to March 30, 2025, this must-see solo exhibition invites viewers to explore the hidden layers of opulence, hierarchy, and fading memories embedded within domestic spaces of Delhi’s past.

A Visual Archive of Memory and Transformation

Kalra’s work reconstructs the interiors of an era gone by—where grand homes and extravagant gatherings concealed underlying tensions. Her paintings act as a portal to a bygone Delhi, one where nostalgia and privilege intertwine with unspoken hierarchies. Through meticulous textures, evocative colors, and layered compositions, the artist questions: What lingers? What fades? And what, despite it all, refuses to let go?

Unveiling the Artist’s Perspective

Shivangi Kalra’s art stems from her experiences growing up in a rapidly changing urban landscape. Her work documents how Delhi’s architectural beauty and intimate spaces have transformed, lamenting the loss of lush bungalows and their cultural significance. Through her paintings, she delves into themes of memory, privilege, gender, and social dynamics, exposing the underlying realities behind seemingly extravagant spaces.

Her artistic expression extends beyond mere nostalgia—her paintings capture the duality of beauty and emptiness, wealth and alienation, silence and unseen struggles. Through detailed brushwork and super-real depictions, Shivangi invites viewers to step into these grand yet isolated interiors, where conversations, gossip, and whispers of the past still echo.

An Artistic Statement on Power, Class, and Identity

Shivangi’s work challenges traditional narratives by highlighting the invisible emotional and social structures that dictate life within privileged spaces. In her own words:

“While things seemed happy and okay from the outside in these parties of wealth and privilege, the longer I observed, the more I found—feelings, people, women, unheard, even when they screamed in silence.”

Her pieces serve as sonic memoirs, where faint conversations, social expectations, and suppressed voices come to life on canvas. Each brushstroke holds a deeper meaning, narrating the tension between nostalgia and critique.

A Poetic Reflection: ‘You’re Growing on Me’

In parallel with her painting You're Growing on Me, Kalra penned a poem that encapsulates the essence of her exhibition:

I walk in.

I say hello, 14 and a half times.

Is he eyeing my skirt?

I am overthinking.

This is a safe space.

I should have gone with jeans.

The garden looked so nice

With the roses, though feisty thorns.

I must say,

Their money plant is growing fast, eh?

I mean, makes sense!

Oh, hello, nice doggie, you're also bored, aren't you?

I love your company too!

I was scored first, but I have to say,

You're growing on me.

About Shivangi Kalra: A Rising Star in Contemporary Art

Born in Delhi in 1998, Shivangi Kalra is a visual artist based in Amsterdam. She completed her Bachelor’s in Painting from the College of Art, Delhi (2021) before moving to the Netherlands for her Master’s in Painting at Frank Mohr Institute (2022-24). Recognized for her artistic excellence, she received the Elizabeth Greenshields Grant and Holland Scholarship in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

Her accolades include:

• Winning the Dutch Royal Painting Prize 2024, with her work exhibited at the Palace of Amsterdam.

• Receiving an award at Galleria Doris Ghetta, leading to a solo exhibition in Italy.

• Showcasing her work at the Groningen Museum, Sweden Art Fair, Museum of Goa, and numerous prestigious group exhibitions worldwide.

• Marking her Indian solo debut at Method, Mumbai, in 2025.

About Method: A Hub for Experimental and Contemporary Art

Method is a space dedicated to contemporary and experimental art that challenges traditional artistic boundaries. With a commitment to fostering creative dialogue, Method celebrates artistic innovation, collaboration, and cultural discourse.

Currently, Method operates three locations:

• Kala Ghoda & Bandra in Mumbai

• Defence Colony in Delhi

Why You Should Visit ‘You’re Growing on Me’

• Experience One of India’s Most Exciting Young Artists: Shivangi Kalra’s deeply personal and socially resonant work is garnering international acclaim.

• Explore Themes of Memory, Class, and Transformation: Witness how art can act as a lens to explore complex social structures.

• Be Part of a Critically Acclaimed Art Exhibition in Mumbai: Method Kala Ghoda continues to bring cutting-edge contemporary art to India.

• Engage with a Visually and Emotionally Immersive Show: Each painting tells a story—of luxury, loss, and the silent narratives hidden within grand spaces.

Mark your calendars! Don’t miss the opportunity to experience You're Growing on Me by Shivangi Kalra at Method, Mumbai from March 1 to March 30, 2025.

Step into a world where art, memory, and social critique intertwine, and witness the work of a rising star redefining contemporary art.