Why Art is Memory, Heritage, and Expression

Atelier by Priyanka is not just a curatorial platform — it is a space for dialogue and reflection.Through my blog, I share stories from the world of art — exploring heritage, memory, contemporary practice, and the evolving narratives of Indian and global artists.

By Priyanka Sethi Bohra

Art is often viewed through the lens of technique, style, or market value — but for me, at its deepest level, art is a vessel of memory, a keeper of heritage, and a profound form of expression.

As I have worked across diverse art forms and cultural narratives — both as an artist and curator — I have come to appreciate this timeless role of art:to preserve, to honor, and to voice the inner stories of individuals and communities.

Art as Memory

Art captures what history books cannot:the emotions, rituals, and lived experiences of people across time.

When I encounter a traditional Pichwai painting, or a contemporary reinterpretation of a folk motif, I see not just color and form — I see generations of stories encoded within it.The artist is not creating in isolation; they are adding a layer to a long continuum of memory.

In curating exhibitions and telling artists’ stories, I find immense value in surfacing these memories — bringing forgotten voices and visual languages back to contemporary audiences.

Art as Heritage

Heritage is not static — it is a living, breathing current that flows through art.

One of my core missions through Atelier by Priyanka and Astitva Online Art Gallery is to showcase how contemporary Indian artists engage with heritage:

• Sometimes by reinterpreting ancient symbols

• Sometimes by questioning inherited traditions

• Sometimes by forging entirely new visual vocabularies that still echo with cultural resonance

By bridging Indian art heritage with global audiences, I hope to foster cross-cultural dialogues where heritage is not confined to the past, but becomes an active part of our shared future.

Art as Expression

Above all, art is a space of personal and collective expression.

In an increasingly fast and fractured world, I believe we need art not just as aesthetic pleasure, but as a means of processing, healing, and connecting.

When I curated Cycle of Violence, or when I create conceptual paintings like The Universe Within, my aim is not to simply showcase technique — it is to open windows into human experience.To make the invisible — visible.To give voice to stories that are too often silenced.

In my storytelling collaborations with artists worldwide, I see how this expressive power of art transcends borders and mediums — whether in a painted canvas, a film, a poem, or a digital reel.

The Path Ahead

Through my curatorial work and storytelling platform Atelier by Priyanka, I remain committed to supporting art that:

• Honors memory

• Engages with heritage

• Serves as a channel of authentic expression

If you are an artist working with these values — or a gallery, collector, or curator aligned with this vision — I invite you to connect.Together, we can create spaces where art speaks to both the heart and the mind.

📧 Atelierbypriyanka@gmail.com 📸 Instagram → @atelierbypriyanka