Let’s start with a story. Once upon a time, there was a box. What’s hidden inside? Well, the answer reveals itself only when you ‘Unbox’ it. Moral of the story? It can be anything you want to perceive. At times, it manifests as identity; on other occasions, it appears as truth. Frequently, it is simply creativity awaiting the courage to be unboxed.
A collective effort by The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group and the Keshav Suri Foundation, with curation led by Naresh Kapuria, Praveen Mahto and Shashi Baghwar, Unboxed 2.0 assembles a collective of 22 creators from different parts of India and London.
Unboxed 2.0: The Queer Art Exhibition
A collaborative of 22 creators, each bringing a singular perspective to the canvas, has assembled to reclaim their space through visibility. Featuring voices such as Anand Jaiswal, Anurag Dubey, Ritik Kumar, Rahul Shakya, Surjeet Chaudhary, Aayush, Badal Verma, Deepak Kumar Rai, Ember, Himanshu, Jupinder Singh, Khusboo Sharma, Nayana, Nishant Khoiya, Neelabh Kumar, Renu Dhiman, Reyansh Naarang, Shakibul Islam, Sumit Srivastava, Shivani Rawat, Vaishali, and Vaishnavi Jagdamba Nand Giri, the exhibition transforms personal history into urgent visual chronicles. These works explore the intersections of identity and resilience, blending together stories of nostalgia, love, and devotion with the bold strokes of courage it takes to belong.
According to Keshav Suri, the executive director of The LaLiT and the visionary behind the Keshav Suri Foundation, the foundation of ‘Unboxed’ was far more than a simple desire for a recurring art event. Reflecting on the collective vision, he said, “It began with one simple belief: queer artists don’t lack talent; they lack enough doors that open. Unboxed was created to change that. Not to celebrate one artist. Not to celebrate one curator. But to celebrate a community whose creativity has always existed, even when institutions chose not to see it. If we’re serious about celebrating queer excellence, then the artist should be the one profiting from their talent. Visibility is lovely. Visibility that pays your rent, funds your next collection, and gives you the confidence to keep creating—that’s empowerment. Our Art Director, Naresh Kapuria, invested his time in mentoring the artists through workshops, helping them sharpen not just their technique but their confidence. Because talent deserves mentorship just as much as applause.”
Beyond creating visibility, Suri believes the exhibition has evolved into a trusted platform where queer, marginalized artists feel empowered. In his words, “One year later, Unboxed has grown from an idea into a movement. We’ve gone from a small collective to 22 artists traveling from Mumbai, Kolkata, Kurukshetra, Kerala and even London. Their works span acrylic, ink, paper, wood, mixed media, and digital print, but what truly connects them isn’t the medium; it’s courage. Every canvas tells a story of identity, memory, love, gender, mythology, and belonging. Every work is an act of visibility.”
Looking ahead, Suri hopes Unboxed will grow beyond a Pride Month exhibition. He adds, “For me, that’s the biggest achievement. Artists now trust this platform enough to bring us the work that’s hardest to make; the honest work. And trust is something you don’t curate. You earn it. Art Junction for us has never been in the business of simply filling white walls with beautiful objects. We’ve always believed art can be a form of social change. Through the gallery, we have always been championing women artists, rural artisans, neurodiverse creators and voices that mainstream galleries often overlook. Unboxed is simply the next chapter in that story. In many ways, it reflects everything we’ve tried to build across The LaLiT and the Keshav Suri Foundation. Whether it’s creating inclusive workplaces, hosting LGBTQIA+ job fairs or opening doors for transgender employment, the philosophy has remained unchanged: representation should always lead to opportunity. Where do we go from here? Quite honestly, I want to unbox Unboxed. I don’t want it to become another event that magically appears every June and quietly disappears in July. Pride isn’t seasonal, so queer art shouldn’t be either. Our ambition is to take these artists across the country and the world. Build stronger opportunities through the Keshav Suri Foundation, collaborate with museums, galleries, and collectors, and ensure queer artists are seen not because they’re queer, but because they’re exceptional. Because that’s the point. The dream isn’t for someone to buy a painting because the artist is queer (also that) but simply to be recognized for what it has always been; great art.”
Having been associated with Unboxed since its inception, Naresh Kapuria believes that the true power of art lies in its ability to forge an emotional connection. He believes that art should first attract attention and then evoke an emotional response. This philosophy continues to shape the exhibition’s inclusive vision, which celebrates different voices and meaningful artistic expression.
Co-curator Praveen Mahto believes the exhibition’s strength lies in its diversity—not simply of identity, but of artistic practice and lived experience. He elaborates, “Marginalized and tribal artists deserve greater visibility and opportunities. Whenever I have the chance, I try to bring their work into the limelight. This year, we have also focused on introducing young artists, many of whom are still in college. While referrals play a role, I have been working closely with artists for several years, which has helped me identify emerging voices with unique perspectives. Most visitors to the exhibition come through the hotel, giving these artists the opportunity to reach a wider and more diverse audience. I hope Unboxed continues to grow as an inclusive platform, welcoming more artists across disciplines—including digital and performance art—and creating meaningful space for every voice to be seen and heard.”The venue itself is central to the story of Unboxed 2.0. Art Junction, located within The LaLiT New Delhi, is one of the few galleries in India actively committed to inclusive and accessible curation, having previously hosted exhibitions spotlighting women artists, rural artisans, neurodiverse creators, and survivors of marginalization. Its parent organization, The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group, operates fourteen properties across India and London and has championed LGBTQIA+ inclusion for over fifteen years—employing more than 250 transgender individuals, hosting thirteen LGBTQIA+ job fairs, and achieving over 1,500 direct placements. The Keshav Suri Foundation, a charitable trust dedicated to uplifting marginalized communities through education, skilling, mental health support, and employment, is the Indian affiliate of the It Gets Better Project and co-founder of the Pride Fund, India’s first dedicated LGBTQIA+ philanthropy fund.
More than an exhibition, Unboxed 2.0 stands as a statement of belonging—proof that when institutions make room for marginalized voices, art becomes both testimony and celebration. The exhibition runs from 15th June to 15th July 2026 at Art Junction, 3rd Floor, The LaLiT New Delhi, and entry is free for all visitors.
Unboxed 2.0: The Queer Art Exhibition reminds us that art can truly challenge, inspire, unite, and ‘unbox’ the soul. Beyond the canvas are stories of courage and hope—stories that deserve to be seen and celebrated well beyond these walls. After all, a rainbow is brightest underneath an open sky, where every color finds its place.
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