Art Meets Architecture: Lucknow’s Historic Residency Immortalized

Synapse International Art Gallery, in collaboration with The Centrum Hotel, hosted an evocative solo photography exhibition by acclaimed Lucknow-based photographer Anil Risal Singh. The exhibition, titled “The Residency – Thousand Stories Within”, was inaugurated on with an elegant lamp-lighting ceremony and the official release of the E-catalogue.

The event was graced by Chief Guest Brajesh Pathak, Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, and Guest of Honour Nilabja Choudhury (IPS), Additional Director General of Police, Government of Uttar Pradesh. Also present were notable personalities from the world of art, culture, cinema, and media, including theatre and film actor Dr. Anil Rastogi; Prof. Jai Krishna Agrawal, Former Principal of the College of Arts & Crafts, Lucknow University; entrepreneur and hotelier Sarvesh Goel; columnist and radio host Jyotsna Arun; art critic Akhilesh Nigam; and poet-editor Padma Bhushan Purnima Varman.

Curated by gallery founder Rakesh Kumar Maurya, the exhibition featured 30 photographs that delve into the layered history and emotional resonance of The Residency — a historic site that witnessed partial destruction during the 1857 revolt and continues to weather the test of time. Singh’s lens captures not just the architectural remnants but the atmosphere, emotion, and aesthetic depth the monument inspires.

“The Residency is not just a ruin; it’s a breathing narrative of silence and strength,” Singh said. “I try to capture its solitude, its spaces, and the visual energy that speaks of a past still alive in bricks and shadows.”

Singh’s imagery balances movement and stillness, depth and dimension, infusing his experimental style with emotional nuance. The textures of the decaying structure, the interplay of light and shadow, and the unspoken stories held within the walls form the heart of his work.

The exhibition was on display at The Centrum Hotel. Visitors were invited to immerse themselves in this visual journey that redefines history through the lens of fine art photography.