Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi inaugurates ‘Presence of Absence in Man’ – A Fundraiser Exhibition for Animal Welfare

The acclaimed art exhibition Presence of Absence in Man – The Elephant in the Room opened with an inspiring inauguration by Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, renowned environmentalist, animal rights activist, and founder of People for Animals, at The Stainless Gallery in New Delhi. The exhibition, presented by Visual artists and curators, Anoop Kamath and Anuradha Nalapat is running from March 23rd to 30th, 2025, has been organised by Matters of Art (MoA) and Arteflick as a fundraiser to support the Walking Eye Foundation for Animal Advocacy (WEFAA).

Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, a key advocate for animal rights, graced the event on March 22nd, offering her keen observations and heartfelt reflections on the artwork. In her note, she said, “I am truly pleased to have experienced this exhibition, which is excellently curated. The sadness of the artists is palpable, as they capture the gradual extinction of species and their longing for the beauty of nature. Kerala, blessed with nature’s best, is home to some of the most sensitive people. Yet, the disregard for species and the cruelty shown by its people is hard to understand. Cruelty breeds unhappiness, and Kerala’s human inhabitants would likely rate very highly on a scale of unhappiness.”

She further added, “Each artwork in this exhibition carries a powerful lesson. From the luminous banana clump by Matin OC to Rathidevi’s elephant that lights up the room, the tender family photos of elephants by T. Narayan, Ritu Kamath’s botanical drawings, Biji Bhaskar’s mossy mountains, and the canvas illustrating the space left for animals—each piece invites us to reflect and learn.“

The art showcase features over 50 powerful artworks created by eminent artists across India, focusing on the theme of the impact of human nature on animals and the environment. The exhibition continues to serve as a catalyst for change, advocating for compassion and empathy for the world we share with all living beings.