Seen/Unseen – A Photo Exhibition

Introduction

This exhibition reiterates MOG’s commitment to bringing Goa’s stories to you by reflecting on this land’s shared histories, interfaith practices, and evolving traditions. With 4 shows, 90+ artists, and 100+ artworks, this exhibition will present the many known and unknown festivals of Goa, centering on the people and communities that bring them to life.

Festivals are the stories communities tell about themselves. Viewed anthropologically, festivals are more than celebrations—they are how communities express their values, adapt to change, and reaffirm belonging.

Goa’s festivals, shaped by the various religious regimes and regional history, do not offer a single culture but a mosaic of many. They remind us that coexistence is not just about tolerance, but about participation and continuity. Through these collective expressions, we see how Goans understand their environment, their faiths, and each other, making festivals one of the most complete reflections of Goan life itself.

French Sociologist, Emile Durkheim, sees feasts and festivals as an ‘effervescence’, the intensity of which cements the solidarity of a group, a representation of the invisible relationships between man and the laws of nature, a veritable institution whereby the bonds between the members of a society are maintained, regenerated, and reproduced.

Through photographs, collaborative installations, multimedia artworks, and a children’s art show, Festivals of Goa becomes both a mirror and a map: reflecting on the many ways through which the people of Goa negotiate modernity, memory, and identity.

Background

Established in 2015, MOG has been a platform for artistic expression and innovation, working with over 500 artists from around the world and hosting more than 600 exhibitions and events. Every year, the museum brings together approximately 70,000 visitors, including tourists and over 12,000 students from Goan schools, providing a unique opportunity for people to engage with Goa’s history and culture through art.

By building a dialogue between art, history, and community, MOG seeks to promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of Goa’s complex cultural heritage.

The ‘Festivals of Goa’ exhibition is a significant milestone in the museum’s journey, marking its 10th anniversary celebrations.

About the exhibition

The Seen/Unseen photo exhibition, curated by Prashant Panjiar, Indrajit Khambe, and Sharada Kerkar, is a visual exploration of how Goan festivals are perceived, remembered, and represented by centering the stories of Goa’s people. The exhibition looks past the spectacle of Festivals and towards what lies beneath—the labour, the anticipation, and the devotion that make a celebration possible.

The exhibition showcases 50 photographs from 25+ photographers from Goa and other parts of the country. The photographs were selected through an open call, which received over 100+ applications from all over the country. Due to the exceptional quality of submissions, the Museum created a photography grant, providing financial support, mentorship, and curatorial guidance to 3 grantees. Each grantee will develop a new or ongoing body of work under this programme, culminating in a group exhibition at the Museum of Goa in 2026.

The images one often sees from festivals are only the surface of moments that burst with movement and action. Beneath them lie gestures of care and contemplation. Seen/Unseen invites everyone to look again, to linger between what is visible and what can only be felt. Here, what you see depends on how long you look.

Participating Artists

Abhishek Anil | Amey Simepurushkar | Anil Purohit | Anish Nogar Araujo | Arunabh Bhattacharjee | Bhumika Bhatia | Chetan Morajkar | Christina Fernandes | Daniel D’souza | Deepbrata Dutta | Deepinder Singh | Dylan Rosario | Gaurav Sanjay Korgaonkar | Khanjan Purohit | Manjari Manoharan | Micheal Mareena | Nalini Elvino de Sousa | Rohan Fernandes | Salonee Jain | Satyaki Gaonkar | Shivam Harmalkar | Siddesh Mayenkar | Sidhesh Shetgaonkar | Vaibhav Bhagat | Vaibhav Rajamani | Yuvraj Seth

Colour and Print Consultant: Mohith Rai Srivastav

Click here for catalogue