Imphal: The opening reception of The Revival of the Forgotten Art of Manipur: An Exhibition of Modern Subika Art on Saturday evening received an overwhelming response in Washington, D.C., drawing residents from the D.C. metropolitan area, members of the Manipuri diaspora, and notable personalities from the arts and cultural community, organisers said.
According to the organisers, many Manipuri families attended the exhibition and expressed happiness at seeing an art form from Manipur presented and contextualised in Washington, D.C., creating a strong sense of cultural connection.
Visitors spent considerable time engaging deeply with the exhibition, particularly appreciating the storytelling embedded within each work. The accompanying curatorial notes for every painting provided historical background, mythology, and cultural context, allowing audiences to connect more meaningfully with the artworks.
Rather than viewing the paintings in isolation, visitors moved through the exhibition with curiosity, often pausing to read the stories behind each work before proceeding to the next, creating an experience that unfolded as both a visual and narrative journey. The opening evening also attracted strong interest from collectors, art enthusiasts, and members of the wider community.
The exhibition is being presented by The Kolorbox in association with the Imphal-based Advanced Research Consortium Library & Archives (ARCLA).
Featuring more than 20 works by artist Dr Yumnam Sapha and curated by Wangam Somorjit, the exhibition will continue until May 19, 2026.
The exhibition has been envisioned and organised by The Kolorbox, an art initiative founded by Priyananda Soubam and Nomit Joshi. The initiative works to amplify the voices of artists and bring their practices into a broader cultural dialogue.
According to the organisers, the exhibition seeks to bring renewed attention to Subika art and encourage engagement with it in a contemporary context.
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The exhibition reintroduces Subika art as a cultural expression for modern audiences. While rooted in historical manuscript traditions, modern Subika art reinterprets the form through new techniques, materials, and narrative approaches. The artworks expand the traditional visual vocabulary to engage with indigenous mythology, history, cultural memory, and significant moments from the region.
The exhibition is being hosted at Gallery 16Ten, a cultural space in Washington, D.C., known for presenting contemporary art and supporting international artistic exchange.
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