Kalyani Pramod exhibits art of 73 endangered species at Alliance Francaise Madras

A new textile and mixed-media art exhibition by Chennai artist Kalyani Pramod, titled 'The Last Glimpse', is currently on view at the Alliance Française Madras. The exhibition features representations of 73 endangered species crafted entirely from discarded materials and industrial waste to highlight the environmental impacts of human activity.

The collection showcases a variety of threatened wildlife, including the Delacour’s langur, which Pramod constructed using rusted bolts for eyes, scraps of metal mesh for a white beard, and discarded wires, nuts, and industrial waste. Other species depicted in the exhibition include the Great Indian Bustard, Bengal Florican, Indian Pangolin, Ganges River Dolphin, and Bengal Tiger.

According to the artist, the inspiration for 'The Last Glimpse' grew out of her previous climate change-themed exhibition. While researching coral bleaching and the impact of rising temperatures on oceans, forests, and mountains, Pramod realized that human activities and interference had severely threatened wildlife across various ecosystems. She created this exhibition to raise awareness about these ecological threats.

Pramod has worked almost exclusively with discarded materials for more than three decades. She stated that modern consumerism has fuelled a culture of waste, which she aims to address by repurposing discarded items into art.

The exhibition remains open to visitors at the Alliance Française Madras.