Memories of childhood: touching photographs by Indian photographer Shubham Patil

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Visitors can view over 250 works, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, art installations, as well as video and animation.

The "Legacy for the Future" exposition features works from Russia, China, India, Brazil, Ethiopia, and Iran. In their creative explorations, the artists often draw inspiration from childhood memories. For example, Indian artist and photographer Shubham Patil shares his childhood experiences through unexpected imagery. 

In the photograph "Camel," one can see the shadow of a camel reflected on the sands of Versova Beach in Mumbai. According to the artist, this image reminded him of a camel safari he experienced as a child. Through artistic techniques, the photographer skillfully conveys a nostalgic mood. Rather than simply photographing a camel, he captures its reflection on wet sand in the glow of the setting sun. This transforms an ordinary photo into a work of art open to multiple interpretations.

"The photograph is undoubtedly beautiful. But what I particularly love is that, when looking at it, everyone thinks of something personal: travels, adventures, or beach vacations. However, few would associate it with their childhood. This is a very intimate connection, yet it becomes perfectly logical when you consider the artist's origins," shared Kirill Potapov, a visitor to the National Centre RUSSIA. 

The theme of childhood is also beautifully explored in another of the artist's works, aptly titled "Childhood." Interestingly, before the photograph was officially named and described, it was informally called "The Old Man and the Sea." Indeed, the image depicts an elderly man standing ankle-deep in the water, his legs washed by ocean waves. At first glance, the photograph appears serene, but Yuri Bolotov, a guide at the National Centre RUSSIA, notes that it also touches on ecological issues. The water at Arnala Beach in Mumbai is heavily polluted, making swimming there hazardous to health.

 At the same time, according to the artist, this did not stop the old man, who, like a child, rejoiced in the surf and cheerfully jumped in the water. This sense of freedom and joy is precisely what the photographer sought to capture. A child lives within each of us, and sometimes, you have to give them freedom.