Budding designers discover art beyond the classroom

Taking classroom learning into the vibrant world of art, Apeejay Institute of Design (AID) students visited the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), New Delhi, and Lalit Kala Akademi. This educational visit offered students an opportunity to engage closely with original artworks, explore diverse artistic practices and understand how artists communicate ideas through different mediums, techniques and visual languages.

The students began their visit at NGMA, where they explored works by renowned masters of Indian modern art. Encountering original artworks enabled them to examine elements such as style, colour, composition, technique and texture, while gaining insights into the artistic journeys of celebrated practitioners. The experience helped them recognise that an artist’s visual language evolves through continuous observation, experimentation and practice.

For Harmanjeet Singh Bhamra, GDP Foundation, Semester I, the visit offered a fresh perspective on Indian art. Recalling the experience, he shared that seeing works by artists including M.F. Husain, Amrita Sher-Gil and Jamini Roy allowed him to observe how different artists used distinct styles and techniques to express their ideas. He also appreciated the guidance of Mrs. Anjali Taneja and Mr. Rajeshwar, whose explanations helped students understand the meanings behind the artworks.

The NGMA visit also introduced students to ‘Tokyo Before/After’, a photography exhibition that presented the city, its people, spaces and everyday life through visual narratives. Students observed how light, framing, perspective, composition and the captured moment can transform ordinary scenes into compelling stories. The exhibition encouraged them to look beyond painting and recognise photography as an important medium of artistic expression and documentation.

The group then proceeded to Lalit Kala Akademi, where students explored the 65th National Exhibition of Art. The exhibition presented a diverse collection of contemporary works, enabling students to observe how artists employ varied media, materials, techniques and visual approaches to express contemporary ideas.

Sneha Suman, GDP Foundation, Semester I, reflected on the contrast between the two exhibitions. She noted that while NGMA showcased works by established artists such as Raja Ravi Varma, Jamini Roy and Rabindranath Tagore, Lalit Kala Akademi presented works by emerging and contemporary artists. The miniature paintings at NGMA particularly caught her attention and left a lasting impression.

The Lalit Kala Akademi team added to the students’ experience by warmly interacting with the group and explaining various artworks. The students also appreciated the team’s thoughtful hospitality, including refreshments arranged for them. Sneha described the gesture as a memorable highlight of an already enriching day.

The visit ultimately became more than an outdoor academic activity. It encouraged students to look closely, discuss freely, interpret creatively and discover new artistic possibilities. Moving from the works of Indian modern masters and photographic storytelling to contemporary artistic expressions, they experienced art through multiple perspectives and mediums.

The day concluded with meaningful conversations, fresh inspiration and a deeper appreciation of Indian art. Most importantly, the visit enabled students to connect concepts of visual observation, composition, technique and storytelling with real-world artistic practice, reinforcing the value of experiential learning beyond the classroom.