Memories, Medium, or Message? Art as mirror to a world in transition

At The Hindu Huddle in Bengaluru, artists and an art collector discussed the role of art in a changing world. Artist Shilo Shiv Suleman asserted that creators are not merely reflections of society but active shapers of it. She shared the origin of the Fearless Collective, an initiative born from the "rage and power" she felt during protests following the Nirbhaya incident, aiming to counter narratives of fear with beauty.

The collective, which has created murals in 25 countries, finds its strength in moments of fear and trauma, offering a subversive form of activism that bypasses conventional language. The discussion highlighted how art becomes crucial for societies in transition, helping them to process change, create meaning, and tell their stories.

The discussion underscores art's vital function in helping societies navigate and interpret periods of significant transformation and collective trauma.