EYE ON INDIA | SHAKUNTALA MAHESHWARI

Eye on India showcases my collection of photographs of India, as seen through my own eyes. I aim to give you a glimpse of the diverse beauty of India and experience the joy I felt in capturing these moments. 

These photos are a collection of over 14 years of travel to various places within the country. Some of the photographs are presented as triptychs to evoke stories and bring you a more immersive experience. 

Photography is my way of telling the story of my travels. I love to capture the feeling of a place with architecture and history in mind. My photographs reflect my love for colors, texture, old buildings and the ever-changing displays of mother earth.   

I was born in Rajasthan, India, a state known for its princes and palaces, but grew up experiencing the simplicity of village life. I have fond memories of grinding wheat, spinning cotton, and participating in various folk arts such as henna, rangoli, embroidery and beadwork. As a teenager, I began using my father's camera to take portraits of family members. I was fascinated by the ability to capture moments and experimented with various art forms, using my pocket money to purchase materials. Art became an important part of my life. When I moved to the US, I had the opportunity to explore different mediums while studying graphic design at North Hennepin Community College. There, I fell in love with black & white photography and the darkroom process. My husband and I love to travel, and this gave me the chance to capture various situations and moments with my family. I found the beauty of natural light, and experienced far-flung locations from Brazil to Iceland, Vietnam to Italy.  But I still find myself drawn back to India again and again.  Through photography, I have been able to revisit my youth and capture the different perspectives and history found in every corner of India. In my photographs, I aim to capture the glory and mystery of history, the vibrant life of the village, and the stories embedded in the stones. I enjoy wandering the streets and capturing moments of ordinary people's lives. -  Shakuntala Maheshwari 

For more information on the exhibition and artist, check out the Xia Gallery website.

Gallery Hours

Wed - Fri: 9am - 5pm
Sat - Sun: 9am - 3pm
Mon - Tue: Closed