A month-long exhibition celebrating Le Corbusier and architect SD Sharma opens at Government Museum and Art Gallery

A unique exhibition showcasing models of buildings designed by Le Corbusier and the works of Architect SD Sharma opened at the Government Museum and Art Gallery in Sector 10, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. Architect SD Sharma, 94, a close collaborator of both Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret, is the highlight of this exhibition, which will run till February 12.

This initiative is a collaboration between the Museum and the A3 Foundation, an organisation dedicated to promoting art, architecture and aesthetics, founded by architect Sangeet Sharma. The event also celebrates three key milestones—architect SD Sharma’s 94th birthday, the A3 Foundation’s 75th event and the Museum’s 50th anniversary.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Brigitte Bouvier, director of the Foundation Le Corbusier in Paris, along with other dignitaries, who travelled to Chandigarh specifically for the occasion. The display chronicles SD Sharma’s illustrious six-decade career across nearly 70 panels. Many dignitaries such as chief architect of UT, ex-chief architects of UT , Punjab and Haryana , chairman of IIA and IIID, Manmohan Khanna, along with architectural students from the region were present on the occasion.

Renowned Singaporean architect Rene Tan, along with other prominent architects, attended the event too. Tan, the creator of the models, delivered a talk on the importance of documenting Corbusier’s work and the process of curating such an exhibit.

A one-day conference was also held, featuring discussions led by Architect Rene Tan, Malaysian architect Lillian Tay, architect SD Sharma, and several other Indian architects. The focus was on Chandigarh Modernism and its global influence. Sourabh Gupta, a Delhi-based prominent architect, was one of the speakers.

About his work, SD Sharma stated, “This exhibition is a tribute to architecture and reflects my deep respect and dedication to what I have learned from the masters, Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret. This is my second exhibition after Spain. I hope the current generation of architects and the architectural community can draw inspiration and knowledge from my contributions.”

The exhibition also includes approximately 70 panels that document SD Sharma’s six-decade career, including ongoing projects from his private practice. This section celebrates Chandigarh Modernism and highlights his enduring influence on the architectural landscape. — TNS

Models of buildings designed by Corbusier

As many as 150 wooden models of Le Corbusier’s buildings have been curated by Singaporean architect Rene Tan and his firm RT+Q. This travelling exhibition has been displayed in 22 countries across the globe and includes as many as 192 meticulously crafted models. For the first time ever, this internationally acclaimed collection is being showcased at the Museum and Art Gallery of Chandigarh.