With ‘Where Silence Rings’ Maendra Alvares weaves together art, memory, nature, and Goan cultural symbols to create an exhibition that celebrates quiet reflection in an increasingly noisy world
VINIKA VISWAMBHARAN | NT BUZZ
At the Big Foot Art Gallery, artist and curator Maendra Alvares is inviting visitors into a quieter, more reflective world through his solo exhibition ‘Where Silence Rings’. The exhibition, featuring 11 works, explores themes of nature, memory, culture and human connection through paintings, installations, terracotta, textiles, and symbolic objects.
“In this time of crisis, there is a lot of noise,” says Alvares. “We are forgetting what we say, as the title suggests. So it was about creating something meaningful.”
The works have emerged from years of thought and experimentation. Alvares explains that even before the pandemic, he was reflecting deeply on humanity’s relationship with nature. One of his earlier works, an upside-down Christmas tree installation created just before COVID-19, acted as a warning about environmental neglect. “It was about showing where we are going,” he says. “We have to start looking after nature.”
That same concern flows through ‘Where Silence Rings’, particularly in an installation featuring seven rows of bells connected by strings. Unlike ordinary bells, they barely make a sound. The work represents the seven musical notes while also reflecting the idea that silence itself can communicate emotion and meaning. “There are bells which give you sound and noise,” says Alvares. “But there are some bells which are very quiet, very silent, hence you can interpret how they may sound. You can also create things in silence.”
Several works draw heavily from personal memory and Goan identity. One installation focuses on karma through footprint-shaped mirrors, which alludes to the kind of results you will receive with your varied actions. “If you do good, you will get back good,” says Alvares. Another piece brings together the five natural elements to symbolise balance and coexistence. “Earth has the five elements all together,” he says. “We need all these elements to work together for development.”
A particularly intimate installation takes the form of a plate with a hidden heart inside it. For Alvares, the work reflects the importance of generosity and emotional connection. “You give that plate with some food to others, and they pass it on to someone else,” he says. “It is like giving your heart to others.”
Goa’s cultural heritage also forms a major part of the exhibition. Traditional Indo-Portuguese windows painted in warm reds and yellows appear throughout the works, reflecting the architecture of old Goan homes. Alvares also incorporates the Kunbi fabric and crochet patterns inspired by traditional domestic craft practices. “This is the way culture is kept,” he says, referring to the use of crochet and textiles.
One artwork revisits older sculptures and designs once displayed at Big Foot, preserving earlier artistic visions within newer forms. According to Alvares, memory remains central to the exhibition’s emotional core. “Memory is a window which we can see every day,” he says. “Like a child sitting on one of those windows and looking outside.”
While the exhibition carries a calm and meditative tone, some works also quietly address social issues. One painting contrasts two landscapes through opposing colours and brushstrokes, suggesting that art can shape people more positively than conflict or aggression. “Colours can work for your paintings and help speak to people on how to have a better life,” says Alvares.
Reflecting on Goa’s artistic landscape, Alvares believes independent artists continue to face challenges, especially when it comes to finding accessible spaces to showcase their work. “Artists need places to display their work,” he says, stressing the importance of smaller galleries and creative spaces.
(‘Where Silence Rings’ is currently on
display at the Big Foot Art Gallery, Loutolim
till June 7 from 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
