New Delhi: Multidisciplinary artist and Royal College of Art graduate Sonakshi Chaturvedi has launched her latest solo exhibition titled “Zaat”, a sculptural installation that powerfully examines women’s hidden histories through the lens of metal, memory, and matrilineal inheritance.
Hosted at The Gallery, British Council, New Delhi, the exhibition runs from June 11 to July 31, 2025, and is a part of the British Council’s “Study UK: Creative Connections II” cultural initiative.
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Drawing inspiration from heirloom jewellery and objects in her grandmother’s wedding trousseau, “Zaat” reflects Sonakshi’s exploration of the untold stories of women often remembered only through relational identities – mother, bride, grandmother.
The installation transforms traditional materials such as brass, cold enamel, resin, and gemstones into vessels of material memory, blending worn metallic exteriors with unexpectedly vibrant interiors – symbolizing the rich inner worlds of women constrained by societal roles.
“Zaat began as a way to reconnect with my own nostalgia,” said Sonakshi Chaturvedi, “but it evolved into an act of reclamation. Through sculpture, I archive the quiet resistance of generations of women, making their identities visible beyond domesticity.”
Sonakshi’s academic and professional journey is rooted in deep engagement with South Asian material culture. With a Masters in Jewellery and Metal from Royal College of Art, a B.Des from NIFT Bengaluru, and gemology training from IGI Dubai, her portfolio bridges traditional craft with cutting-edge contemporary expression.
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She has previously worked with The Gem Palace Jaipur, Zoya by TATA, and Olympia Auctions, and has been part of creative commissions like the Riverside Studios by Vedanta in London.
The installation aligns with the British Council’s Best of British series, which celebrates UK alumni reshaping global cultural narratives. With Zaat, Sonakshi Chaturvedi brings focus to India’s intergenerational female memory, postcolonial identity, and the emotional weight of inherited roles.
Currently advancing her gemological studies with Gem-A (FGA) in the UK, Sonakshi also plans to pursue doctoral research focused on gender, craft, and communal memory.
Zaat by Sonakshi Chaturvedi: Exhibition Details
- Title: Zaat by Sonakshi Chaturvedi
- Location: The Gallery, British Council, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi
- Dates: June 11 – July 31, 2025
- Admission: Free
- Timings: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
