Lodhi Art District is India’s first and largest open air public art district!
What is Street art?
The dawn of 21st century has seen a new form of art, now labeled as an Urban Art. In 60s unknown American artists started writing on the walls, introducing their work and contact details in bold style to get noticed. The artists used spray cans in initial days to leave unique signatures on the walls, which came to be known as graffitis. During WWII graffitis became the way to express slogans of protest and to raise awareness of social and political issues. The Kilroy Was Here graffiti of the World War II is one of the most famous examples of using graffitis as a way to express anger or opinion around the world event. The writing eventually transcended into abstract drawings followed by image led concepts conveying social messages at a larger level. These drawings on large surfaces in the open air using stencils, wall paints, spray rollers, chalks etc is known as Street Art.
The graffitis were the precursor to modern street art. While some graffiti artists made a full transition from street art into the mainstream art world, some evolved as street artists, earning reputation at home as well as international levels. The street art is also a medium for a lesser known artist to show personal work and inspirations out of the gambit of well accepted art concepts. This urban art form has become a staple art form around the world with cities like Berlin, NY, London, Barcelona, LA becoming famous for street arts. Lodhi Art District is a well known place for street art in Delhi.
Funky Walls of Lodhi Art District
A sleepy quarter between Khanna Market and Meherchand Market has come alive after an event organized by St+art India, a not-for-profit organisation, with a mission to make art accessible to everyone. The dazzling makeover of 26 walls of Lodhi Colony with eclectic murals by Indian as well as international artists has successfully transformed the Lodhi Colony area of Delhi into India’s very first open air public art district. Here are some images of artworks at Lodhi Art District.
Colours of the soul by Senkoe
The mural represents colourful diversity of the people who live here and the bons and stories they share from their hearts.
Lava Tree by Anpu Varkey
The Lotus by Suiko
Suiko takes the national flower of India – the lotus and re-imagines it with his signature of curved lines and Japanese characters to create this mural.
Poem by Niels Shoe Meulman
Niels Shoe Meulman painted a poem written by him. Being a writer for over 35 years, Shoe decided to mix up all the influences he has had over the years to create this piece.
Lady Aiko’s rendition of Rani Lakshmibai
Vishwaroopa by Inkbrushnme
The mural depicts an all-encompassing omniform of Vishnu which marks the beginning of 18 day battle of Mahabharata. Vishnu manifests in his cosmic grandeur hypnotising Arjuna, the supreme warrior, and shows him that all universal matter, animate and inanimate, is him.
The astronaut atop the wall
It is a metaphor for someone who can see things from a different perspective, as a silent viewer of a larger picture. In this case, he is a witness to all the daily activities of Lodhi colony.
Dead Dahlias by Amitabh Kumar
A lazy Sunday stroll was all i needed to explore Lodhi Art District and soak in the creativity and imagination of artists from diverse genre’. The Hauz Khas Social in HKV was the best way to unwind over few beers after an awesome afternoon! It was definitely a Sunday well spent!
Read more about Murals on the walls of Havelis in Shekhawati. which was a completely different form of craft in 19th century!
