British photographer Stuart Robertson concluded an 18-month residency at Dr Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital in Daryaganj, Delhi, with an exhibition titled "Through the Artist’s Eye," which ran from April 28 to May 3 at Bikaner House. The exhibition showcased over 280 works, spanning drawing, sculpture, painting, collage, and photography, reflecting Robertson’s exploration of vision and the profound impact of sight restoration.

Robertson’s involvement with the hospital began as a philanthropic gesture after selling two large paintings and donating the proceeds to the institution. During his visit, he was invited by the hospital’s CEO, Dr Umang Mathur, to volunteer with children who had regained sight. This experience inspired him to document life at the hospital artistically, eventually leading to a formal exhibition supported by curators Ashish Sahoo and Zaarya Chaudhari.

The exhibition highlights the intersection between art and medicine, presenting works created in surgical and recovery spaces where Robertson observed patients regaining sight. The curators note that the drawings often served as a shared exchange with patients, bridging the gap between artist and subject, while the photographic works focus on the intensity and discipline behind medical procedures without sensationalizing the experience.

Robertson described vision as humanity’s primary connection to the world, calling the restoration of sight “the most dramatic” event he had witnessed. He observed the hospital’s continuous influx of patients and the unwavering dedication of the medical staff. He emphasized the acts of kindness and selflessness he saw daily, praising surgeons who strive for precision under pressure, nurses offering emotional support, and anesthetists responding swiftly to complications.

The artist spent much of his residency drawing on-site, carefully blending into the environment to respect patients’ privacy and maintain a sense of discretion. He noted that being part of the hospital community changed his outlook on life, deepening his appreciation for the small but profound miracles taking place within its walls.

The exhibition also marked the bicentennial of photography, featuring six different photographic processes, which Robertson said was unusual for a single show. Although the showcased works represent only a portion of his output from the residency, the exhibition reflected a broader study not only of vision’s restoration but also of the ways people perceive and interpret the world around them.

"Through the Artist’s Eye" underscored the vital role of sight and the profound human stories embedded in medical care, highlighting a convergence of artistic expression and healing that Robertson found transformative during his time at Dr Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital.