Art in the space between waking and dreaming

The preview of What Remains Awake: Dream, Depth & the Fourth (Jagrat · Swapna · Sushupti · Turiya), a solo exhibition by Sonika Agarwal, was held on Friday, 30 January 2026, at Kalamkar Gallery, Bikaner House, New Delhi, in the presence of artists, curators, collectors and members of the cultural community.

The opening was graced by Uma Jain, Director of Dhoomimal Gallery, as chief guest, along with Mahishini Colonne, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, as the special guest.

Curated under the guidance of Myna Mukherjee, the exhibition draws inspiration from the four states of consciousness—waking, dreaming, deep sleep and the fourth state—exploring inner worlds, awareness and the liminal space between waking and dreaming.

A self-taught artist with over seventeen years of practice, Agarwal has exhibited widely in India and internationally and is a recipient of the National Stree Shakti Award from the President of India. A selection of works from this body of practice has recently been acquired by the Museum of Sacred Arts (MoSA), Belgium, marking a significant international recognition.

The preview was attended by members of the art and cultural community, including Anandmoy Bannerjee, Shridhar Iyyer, Nasir Abdullah and Kavita Nayyer. What Remains Awake invites viewers to move beyond looking, encouraging reflection on perception, silence and stillness.