Art Trips and Gallery Walks: Learning Beyond the Studio
I believe art happens everywhere, not just at an easel. Join me as we step out of the studio to explore Mumbai’s vibrant gallery scene, analyze masterworks, and learn how to see the world like an artist.
Our foundation course students met at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya to sketch and merge art with mythology. There is no better classroom than a museum.
Our museum visit was filled with sketching, storytelling, and a fun game where one person describes a painting and the other draws it without seeing. It is about connection and creative play.
Welcome to Art Bites. This week, we visited the "AMANO IWATO" show, inspired by Japanese mythology and the relationship between man and nature. Gallery visits are a key part of our curriculum for all ages.
A walkthrough of the Gieve Patel memorial show. I explained how he transformed a small news item about a peacock into a haunting, beautiful image, showing us how beauty hides in plain sight.
Our students experienced the work of Sudhir Patwardhan, an artist who chronicles the pulse of urban India. We even had the chance to interact with the artist himself.
Can light be art? We explored this question at the "Light into Space" exhibition, experiencing works by artists like Dan Flavin who transform the way we see and feel a space.
A visit to "Fossils of Force" by Kulpreet Singh, an exhibition reflecting on the resilience of farmers amidst political and ecological challenges.
Artist Dilip Ranade shares his insights on one of his paintings, explaining the absurd and funny combination of a wild ass skeleton and a tiger skin, related to his museum work.
Artist Dilip Ranade explains the symbolism in his 21st-century still life, which includes a computer displaying one skull eating another, representing modern violence.
A look at Dilip Ranade's exhibition "Unnatural Histories," where his paintings blend complex ideas with the belief that art should speak clearly, yet reveal hidden layers of mystery.
About Beyond the Classroom: Art Trips & Gallery Walks
These gallery walks are active learning sessions, not passive tours. We usually pick a specific show or artist to break down, analyzing everything from the symbolism in a contemporary painting to how a curator arranges a physical space. It is about teaching your eye to look past the surface—whether we are sketching in a museum courtyard or discussing an exhibition, you will walk away knowing exactly how to deconstruct and appreciate what you are seeing.
Why We Step Outside
Classrooms have walls, but art is limitless. My studio curriculum is built on the belief that observation is a muscle. If you only look at your own work, you are missing the dialogue that has been happening between artists for centuries. When we visit galleries, we are not just looking at pictures; we are decoding decisions.
What You Will Experience
Our gallery walks take us across Mumbai’s art landscape, visiting institutions like the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya and galleries like Galerie Mirchandani + Steinruecke.
- Active Analysis: We do not just walk and talk; we sketch. We might play games where we describe a painting to a partner who has to draw it based solely on our words. It is a fast track to understanding composition and color theory.
- Demystifying the Masters: I guide you through complex works—from Gieve Patel's quiet urban observations to the surrealism of Dilip Ranade or the layered fabric sculptures of Gurjeet Singh. You do not need to know art history to start; you just need curiosity.
- Community and Conversation: It is a group experience. You will hear what other students saw, which often challenges your own perspective and helps you see layers of meaning you might have otherwise missed.
Whether you are a student preparing for design school or an adult learner discovering art later in life, these sessions bridge the gap between looking and seeing. You will learn how to read an exhibition, understand the narrative behind an installation, and find your own voice by engaging with the broader art world.
Purnima Sampat
I’m Purnima, and I believe the best classroom is the one without walls. My studio isn't just about technique; it's about shifting how you perceive the world around you. Come join me and my students as we explore the city's art scene—it's messy, insightful, and always surprising.
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