Pleasant encounter
In the heart of Chandigarh, a new chapter in the art world unfolds at the Govt Museum and Art Gallery. Titled Encounter With The Moment, the exhibition is no less than a journey with photographer Gurdeep Dhiman. Dhiman held this photo exhibition, which is an immersive exploration of Leh-Ladakh’s breathtaking landscapes through his lens.
Dhiman’s first encounter with Pangong Lake in 2017 was a spontaneous journey. Returning in 2018, he felt an overwhelming sense of belonging, as though the vast landscapes of Ladakh were an open canvas bestowed upon him by a higher power. “This wasn’t a planned trip but a moment of chance that became a profound connection,” he reflects.
The title, Encounter With The Moment, encapsulates his experience of capturing these fleeting, yet timeless, instances in the stunning landscapes of Ladakh. For him, every photograph has a story of its own.
One of the highlights of the exhibition is Dhiman’s art installation, A Visual Journey Through the Lens. This 14-foot panel features 100 frames of the Nubra Valley, each telling its own unique story. The installation has an antique and rugged aesthetic. The Bajaj Chetak scooter was gifted by his friend Deva Negi. Dhiman integrated this personal element into his work, adding a layer of nostalgia and connection to his artistic narrative. He explains, “The Bajaj Chetak became a part of my journey, symbolising both my past and my present. It gave direction to my imagination and allowed me to execute my ideas in a tangible form. It was an enriching experience doing this installation and while doing so, I learnt to visualise small things like texture, contrast, rhythm, light on a larger scale and also how to execute that process. Seeing the photographs that are symbolic of my aesthetic vision on one platform imparts a lot of divinity, happiness and energy which cannot be found at any other place.”
Dhiman’s artistic journey has been inspired by the work of Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado. “Salgado’s thoughts, words, and photographs have left a significant impact on my life,” Dhiman says.
It was Salgado’s ability to capture social and environmental narratives with depth and emotion that inspired him to refine his own art. He elaborates, “His photographs have left a deep impact on my life due to which I was able to refine my art and give it a direction. Through Salgado’s influence, I learnt that photography is more than an art form; it is a means of evoking change and fostering societal progress.”
Dhiman describes Ladakh as a place made for him. This deep connection to the land is evident in his work, where each photograph is an emotional and philosophical exploration. “Photography has taught me that it can inspire, change thought processes, influence ideologies, and educate,” he explains. The artist’s photographs promise a journey not just through Ladakh’s majestic terrains, but through the artist’s own evolving narrative, offering a rich exploration of art and nature.
On till September 22
