Russian-born artist Julia Usmanova will present her solo exhibition "When India Became Home" at Bikaner House in New Delhi from 18 to 23 June 2026. Conceptualised by Neena Gulati, the show features figurative paintings that explore memory, identity, belonging, and Usmanova's evolving relationship with India since her first visit in 2017. Central to the exhibition is the series "Bilateral Layerings," which focuses on images of young Indian women through traditional attire, jewelry, jasmine flowers, birds, dragonflies, and symbolic figures like the tiger. The works blend academic Russian painting traditions with contemporary and Orientalist influences, shifting toward intuitive and emotionally responsive expression.
This exhibition matters because it exemplifies how cross-cultural experiences can reshape an artist's practice and visual language, creating a dialogue between Russian and Indian cultural perspectives. By transforming personal encounters in Delhi and Kolkata into a body of work that examines feminine identity, cultural belonging, and the concept of home, Usmanova contributes to the growing discourse on migration, identity, and transnational art. Bikaner House, a historic venue now serving as a cultural destination, provides a fitting setting for this exploration of memory and emotional connection across borders.