Mangoes and Meaning – OPEN CALL

Concept

The exhibition takes as its starting point the mango—India’s national fruit and one of its most enduring cultural symbols. Cultivated on the subcontinent for nearly 5,000 years, the mango is more than a fruit: it is embedded in mythology, ritual, art, and literature. In classical narratives, it appears in the realm of love and devotion, from Kama, the god of love, whose arrows were tipped with mango blossoms, to Lord Ganesha, who is believed to have received it as a divine gift. During Portuguese rule, the fruit travelled across continents through colonial trade, acquiring a global presence.

Today, India alone is home to over 1,500 varieties, each marked by its own distinctive story of naming, cultivation, and cultural association. By tracing these histories and imaginations, the exhibition positions the mango as a fruit of many worlds—ecological, historical, and symbolic.

The exhibition will bring together paintings, sculptures, music, food traditions, and video works connected with the mango.

Who can apply:
– Entries are open to all.
– You do not need to have any formal training in art. We welcome anyone interested in art and creating.
– Accepting submissions of sculptures, paintings, photographs, digital prints, video art, and installation art.

Application deadline: 20th March 2026!
For more information, check out our Artist Handbook