Curatorial Note by Arshia Marwah If people were houses, each would be full of hidden treasures. Yet, we often find ourselves on the outside, waiting to be let in. From the outside, everything is full of magic and mystery. Rural Indian landscapes seen through rustic Italian windows, one might say this series reflects Bhatia’s longing to return home. It speaks of a childhood spent in 1970’s Lonavala, seen from a distance through colourful windows. If people are houses, this collection is a window into the artist’s soul; a homecoming. ‘Outside In’ refers to a yearning to create the world we wish to see, and a desire to look upon our experiences with kindness— colourful windows and rose-tinted glasses alike. If people were truly houses, their walls would be their defences. Bhatia seeks to bypass these barriers saying “There may be a wall here, but we have been offered a window.”
