Posted on 25 February 2026:
Unshelving Memories: Trivandrum’s Landmark Exhibition of Artist’s Books
Inaugurated on 24 February 2026 with the support of the Rizq Art Initiative, the College of Fine Arts Gallery in Trivandrum has been transformed into a sanctuary for the “book”—not as a vessel for text, but as a sculptural, living artwork.
Curated by Prof. Shijo Jacob, Unshelving Memories unfolds as a tactile symphony—where 63 artists transform the book into living memory, inviting the hand to feel what the eye alone cannot hold.
“Unshelving Memories is not merely about viewing books; it is about reflecting on how we preserve, reinterpret, and reconstruct our histories through visual storytelling,” notes Prof. Shijo Jacob, whose vision anchors the show.
The collection is a masterclass in the artist’s book as a conceptual object. Pages become landscapes of folds, cuts and transparencies—non-linear narratives that unfold deliberately, inviting patience and touch. Textures, fibers and archival fragments carry the weight of lived experience, transforming memory into tactile presence. The landmark exhibition, Unshelving Memories: Exhibition of Artist’s Books– redefines the very architecture of storytelling.
Unshelving Memories: An Evening of Resonance
The evening commenced with a welcome address by coordinator Prof. Renjith Kumar V, followed by a presidential address from Prof. Manoj Kannan, Principal of the College of Fine Arts.
The inauguration of Unshelving Memories found its literary grace in the presence of Sri. Zachariah, while Prof. N. N. Rimzon’s keynote traced the delicate intersections of art, memory, and material. Reflections from Prof. Kattoor Narayana Pillai, Prof. Sunil N, Smt. Preeti Joseph, Sri. Pradeep Panangad, and Sri. Bhadra S R enriched the gathering with layered perspectives. The evening closed with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Sri. Likhil Kaladharan, Chairperson of the College Union, carrying forward the warmth of collective gratitude.
Open until 15 March 2026, Unshelving Memories endures as a living archive—an intimate invitation to hold memory in one’s hands and experience storytelling beyond the page.
