- At Amdavad Ni Gufa, art meets environmental urgency through paintings and photography
- Filmmaker-artist Tanmay Shah explores climate change, community and fragile ecosystems
- Exhibition runs March 31 to April 5, inviting viewers to rethink their relationship with nature
- Legacy meets contemporary vision as veteran artist Anil Shah reflects on art’s evolving role
- ‘Borrowed Land’ positions art as both witness and warning in an age of ecological crisis
R MANICKAVASAGAM
AHMEDABAD, MAR 25
In a city known for its vibrant artistic pulse, an upcoming exhibition promises not just visual delight but a deeper, unsettling introspection. Titled “Borrowed Land”, the show by Tanmay Shah brings together paintings and photographs that chronicle the fragile, often overlooked relationship between humans and the environment.
Scheduled from March 31 to April 5, 2026, between 4 pm and 8 pm, at the iconic Amdavad Ni Gufa, the exhibition seeks to transform art into an urgent climate dialogue.
Art as alarm: A personal yet universal narrative
A former IITian, founder & CEO of Friday Fiction Films, and an internationally awarded documentary filmmaker, Tanmay Shah’s journey into visual storytelling has been anything but conventional.
Yet, “Borrowed Land” feels deeply personal.
“We don’t own the land we live on—we are merely borrowing it from future generations. This exhibition is my attempt to reflect that truth through images and colours,” says Tanmay Shah.
His works capture:
- Changing landscapes
- Human intrusion into natural habitats
- Quiet resilience of ecosystems
- Everyday environmental contradictions
“As a filmmaker, I observe stories. As an artist, I distil them. Climate change is not a distant idea—it is unfolding around us, in our cities, in our communities,” he adds.
Frames of reality: Photography meets paint
The exhibition is a compelling blend of:
- Photographs from diverse locations capturing real-time environmental shifts
- Paintings inspired by ecological themes, layered with symbolism and emotion
From stark images of urban expansion to evocative depictions of vanishing green spaces, the works push viewers to confront an uncomfortable question:
What are we leaving behind?
“Photography documents what is. Painting allows me to interpret what it means,” Tanmay explains.
A legacy of art: Anil Shah reflects
The exhibition also carries the imprint of artistic legacy. Tanmay is the son of Anil Shah, former artist with The Indian Express, Ahmedabad.
For Anil Shah, the evolution of art as a medium of social commentary is both natural and necessary.
“Art has always mirrored society. Today, the biggest story is the environment. If artists don’t respond to it, who will?” he says.
Reflecting on his son’s work, he adds:
“Tanmay brings a contemporary sensitivity—blending documentation with emotion. His work doesn’t just show change; it makes you feel its consequences.”
Why ‘Borrowed Land’ matters now
Globally, artists are increasingly engaging with climate themes, turning galleries into spaces of awareness and activism. “Borrowed Land” aligns with this growing movement, using visual storytelling to bridge science and society.
Ahmedabad, with its rapid urbanisation and environmental challenges, provides a fitting backdrop.
“Climate change is not abstract—it is local, immediate and deeply personal. If even a few visitors walk away thinking differently about their daily choices, the exhibition has done its job,” Tanmay notes.
An invitation to reflect
Set within the organic, cave-like architecture of Amdavad Ni Gufa, the exhibition promises an immersive experience—where art, space and subject converge.
It is not just an exhibition to be seen, but a message to be absorbed.
“We have borrowed this land. The question is—how responsibly will we return it?” Tanmay asks.
