This site-specific installation was commissioned for Aisha Khalid’s survey show at the Pump House Gallery, where she seamlessly integrated her painting into the architectural space. Conceived as a floor installation, Khalid meticulously painted one of her large circular forms onto wasli paper, utilizing a curving perspective rendered in camouflage tones. Once the piece was placed, she extended the work by painting directly onto the gallery’s wooden floor, adding fluted contours of cascading fabric that harmonized with the vibrant form above.

Viewed from a short distance, the installation evoked the entrance to a well or a tunnel, suggesting a passage to another realm. However, this alluring escape came with a twist: from the myriad points of the vortex, an array of needles emerged, extending vertically into the space above. This element introduced a palpable tension to the otherwise enchanting form below, challenging the viewer’s perception and experience