A city is made of many things; the quiet buildings, eternally parked vehicles collecting dust, or people on a street corner. For artist and illustrator Zainab Tambawalla, they are the few constants in a rapidly changing Mumbai. &ldquo;It is a race against time,&rdquo; she admits. It is these ignored facets of the city that make it into her exhibition, Seen Unseen that opens tomorrow.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/dec/Bhajiwala_e.jpg" alt="Bhajiwala. Pics Courtesy/Zainab Tambawalla" width="1280" height="720" /> Bhajiwala. Pics Courtesy/Zainab Tambawalla
Tambawalla&rsquo;s journey as an artist has been enriched by her regular urban sketching walks. &ldquo;I love the old heritage structures, but when I observe the city, certain elements find their way into its visuals through repetition,&rdquo; she points out. One of them is the water tanker. &ldquo;For a layman, it gives the idea of a thirsty city. But when you look closer, you notice an ecosystem,&rdquo; she says.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/dec/Zainab-Tambawalla_e.jpg" alt="Zainab Tambawalla" width="1280" height="720" /> Zainab Tambawalla
And so, elements like the vegetable vendors, people, and electric boxes &mdash; art installations on their own with graffiti and posters, Tambawalla points out &mdash; are part of a collection of over 65 watercolour canvases. &ldquo;I wanted them to have a strong voice, and hope to make people think about the nature of our city,&rdquo; the artist concludes.&nbsp;
FROM December 12 till January 4 2026; 11 am to 7 pm (except Mondays) AT 47-A, Khotachi Wadi, Girgaon Entry Free

For artist and illustrator Zainab Tambawalla, they are the few constants in a rapidly changing Mumbai as her exhibition, Seen Unseen that opens tomorrow

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