Artists, art enthusiasts, cultural personalities, and friends came together for the opening of “Stories the Soil Remembers”, a solo exhibition by Jyoti Tyagi, curated by Prayag Shukla, at Shridharani Gallery.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Chetan Prakash Jain in the presence of renowned artist Jatin Das and celebrated classical dancer Pratibha Prahlad. Their presence made the evening special and meaningful.
Jyoti Tyagi’s artworks impressed visitors with their quiet beauty and emotional depth. Through repeated images of peacocks, trees, birds, and open landscapes, she reflects on the close connection between humans and nature. Her paintings speak about care, belonging, and the fragile balance of the environment.
Her work also explores the emotional journey of human life in today’s fast-changing world. Each painting becomes a space for memory, thought, and reflection, allowing viewers to connect with their own feelings and experiences.
An important aspect of her work is her observation of the changing relationship between cities and nature. As cities continue to grow, nature slowly disappears, often without people noticing it. Jyoti repeatedly returns to this theme in her paintings. Her works are not traditional landscapes but spaces where different elements try to exist together. Birds often appear in her compositions as quiet yet meaningful presences. They represent both displacement and resilience, while also drawing attention to larger environmental concerns without forcing any fixed meaning on the viewer.
Her recent body of work, “Stories the Soil Remembers”, began with a simple but powerful question: what does the ground remember when buildings continue to rise over it? Through these works, she tries to explore the hidden layers of the city. Rather than giving direct answers, the paintings invite viewers to pause and reflect.
At a time of rapid development and constant change, Jyoti Tyagi’s work reminds people to think not only about progress, but also about what gets left behind. Her paintings encourage viewers to listen to the soil, forgotten memories, and stories buried beneath the city’s endless expansion. Through her art, she tries to hold onto the possibility of coexistence between humans and nature, even if that balance is fragile.
Jyoti Tyagi’s artistic journey is shaped by academic excellence, personal experiences, and a lifelong love for creativity. Art has been a natural part of her life since childhood, which she gradually developed into a serious and evolving artistic practice.
Born in western Uttar Pradesh and now living in Ghaziabad, she continues to draw inspiration from her surroundings, roots, and everyday life. She holds a Master’s degree in Economics along with a B.Ed, and also spent three fulfilling years in the teaching profession before dedicating herself fully to art.
Her journey as an artist has not been easy. Family responsibilities and social challenges led to a 19-year break in her artistic career. At the age of 41, with determination and courage, she decided to pursue a Diploma in Fine Arts. This training gave her the technical skills and artistic discipline that continue to shape her work today.
Jyoti Tyagi has participated in several prestigious exhibitions across India. She took part in group shows at Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2021, and 2022. Her work has also been shown in important national exhibitions in Varanasi, Amritsar, and Lucknow, including the Kashi National Art Exhibition and the All India Art Exhibitions organised by the Indian Academy of Fine Arts, Amritsar. She was also honoured and awarded by the Lalit Kala Academy, Uttar Pradesh, and has participated in many art camps.
Her artworks are part of several private and corporate collections in India and abroad. One of the important milestones in her career was her first solo exhibition, “TRANSFORMATION”, held at Lalit Kala Akademi in 2019. The exhibition marked years of dedication, hard work, and artistic growth. Today, Jyoti Tyagi continues to grow as an artist, exploring new ideas and perspectives while remaining sincere and disciplined in her practice.
The evening was appreciated not only for the artworks but also for its warm hospitality. Guests enjoyed delicious starters and soft drinks, creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for everyone present.
