the 'Lost Self ' portrait


smells
memory
identity

With the support of the Hyundai Art for Hope 2025 artist grant, I developed a multisensory installation, recently exhibited at Travancore Palace, New Delhi.

This project explored the power of scent in reconstructing identity and memory, allowing participants to relive deeply personal moments through olfactory storytelling. The experience unfolded as a sensory journey through life stages—beginning with the sweet, fruity aromas of childhood, evoking innocence and nostalgia. As visitors moved through the space, they encountered scents tied to relationships and loved ones, such as the familiar trace of a loved one’s perfume. The final phase of the installation transitioned into spiritual olfactory notes, symbolizing personal introspection and transformation. For many participants, this was an emotional and introspective experience, bringing forth memories long forgotten, highlighting how smell weaves into the fabric of identity, relationships, and personal evolution.



