BEYOND THE EXHIBITION: CURATING AN IMMERSIVE JOURNEY WITH SEEMA KOHLI IN THE BAY AREA

Earlier this year, Laasya Art presented the first U.S. solo exhibition of contemporary Indian artist Seema Kohli, featuring a collection of 23 never-before-seen paintings. It was a milestone not just for Seema but also for the gallery and for me personally, marking our first public exhibition at such a large scale.

When I began planning the exhibition, months before the opening, I hoped to create something more immersive than a traditional installation of paintings—I envisioned a program that would invite visitors across the Bay Area to engage with the artist, her philosophy, and the many dimensions of her creative practice.

Creating a Connection Between Artist & Audience

From the outset, I wanted collectors to get to know Seema not only as an artist, but also as an individual. Her work holds profound intellectual and emotional depth, with symbols rooted in Indian philosophy, spirituality, and memory, all intertwined with her personal narrative of inner growth.

I believe art-buying becomes more meaningful when one connects with the artist and understands the stories that shape each piece. With this in mind, every aspect of Samsara & Metamorphosis: The Mystical World of Seema Kohli was designed to expose audiences to different facets of Seema’s persona and practice.

Expanding the Program Beyond the Gallery Walls

Given Seema is a multi disciplinary artist, I decided to integrate different aspects of her practice into the program.

As a result, we planned a series of events across the Bay Area:

• Stanford University: An intimate poetry narration and artist presentation
• Pacific Art League (Palo Alto) & Triton Museum of Art (Santa Clara): Hands-on workshops exploring memory through the five senses
• Palo Alto Art Center: An artist talk and meditation session, in collaboration with the local nonprofit SACHI (Society for Art and Cultural Heritage of India)
• SFMOMA: A private event featuring a discussion with the artist and select paintings on view
• Laasya Art: A limited-time exhibition with artist-led walkthroughs offered daily

The response from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. One workshop participant shared, “Seema was the most inspiring artist I have worked with! I didn’t know what to expect, and she just brought forth these images in me that I didn’t know were there.”

Reflections from the Artist on Collaboration & Gratitude

Following the exhibition, Seema shared her own reflections on the experience:

My experience working with Sonia and Laasya Art has been nothing short of fulfilling. From the start, I was touched by their dedication to the integrity of my art and the clarity they brought to every stage of the show.

For me, this exhibition was not just about showcasing paintings but also about building a larger dialogue. Through thoughtful outreach and collaborations with academic institutions and art spaces across the Bay Area, there was a genuine effort to place my work in the right cultural and intellectual context.

The turnout was exceptional, but even more moving was the level of attentive participation from such a diverse audience. The various workshops and conversations invoked the curiosity of people who came through and made it feel like an evolving conversation rather than a static show.

I felt supported by Sonia’s sensitive curatorial approach, which allowed my art to be presented with both care and a strong narrative. Overall, it was a memorable collaboration.

Though the physical exhibition has concluded, Seema Kohli’s paintings from the collection can be viewed by private appointment in Palo Alto, California. Please reach out to us at +1 650-770-9088 or info@laasyaart.com.

— Sonia Nayyar Patwardhan