Memories of childhood: touching photographs by Indian photographer Shubham Patil
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.
