Artist Biju Cherayath’s latest exhibition invites visitors to do something many urban dwellers rarely allow themselves the time to do: slow down. The show is part of Jaragandi 2.0, Alliance Française’s World Environment Week initiative at Bengaluru.

Showcasing works inspired by landscapes, rocks, trees, and natural spaces, the exhibition truly reflects Biju’s enduring relationship with the environment. Rather than presenting nature as a distant concept, she encourages viewers to look more closely with a discerning eye.

The exhibition emerged after Alliance Francaise’s director visited a previous solo show this year and observed that much of Biju’s work revolved around nature. And with World Environment Day just gone by, the collaboration felt like a natural fit.

Unlike her earlier career as a designer creating corporate exhibitions and brand displays, this exhibition offered complete creative freedom. “It was a dream come true,” says Biju. “I didn’t have targets or someone asking if a product would sell. I could simply create what I wanted.”

Many of the works on display draw from her lived experiences gathered while cycling through Bengaluru. What began as a seemingly practical mode of transport, gradually turned into one of the bigger inspirations in her life. Cycling, she says, allows her to notice details that might otherwise pass us by. Changing landscapes, unusual rock formations, fallen leaves, and the countless small elements that truly make up a space.

Stop and take a look

One of the exhibition’s standout works is a large piece inspired by a three-billion-year-old rock formation at Bannerghatta. Created on an upcycled canvas, the work focuses on layers, textures, and movement rather than traditional brushwork. The result is a tactile rich surface that almost mirrors the rugged character of the view that inspired it.

Alongside the artworks, visitors can also experience workshops and activities designed to encourage introspection and engagement. Yet beyond the paintings, installations, and events, the exhibition boils down to one little thing.

When asked what she hopes the take-away would be, Biju’s answer is immediate: “I just want people to slow down.” In a city known for its fast-paced life, traffic and endless movement, she believes many have forgotten how to truly experience the world around them. Places are often reduced to destinations on Google Maps, visited with a checklist in hand before rushing on to the next thing. What gets lost, she believes, is the experience itself.

Through her work, Biju invites viewers to pause and pay attention: to notice a tree on a street corner, the shape of a cloud, the texture of an ancient rock face, or even a fallen leaf underfoot. The natural world, she believes, is constantly offering moments of wonder. All that is required is the willingness to stop and look.

Until June 20. At Alliance Française de Bangalore, Vasanth Nagar, Bengaluru. Entry free.