State of the Art

The Saffronart Blog

Month: December 2013

Nature Morte’s “Parallel Postulates”

December 7, 2013

Elizabeth Prendiville of Saffronart shares a note about the newly opened group exhibition at Nature Morte in New Delhi. 

Mona Rai Krishna-Krishna, 2013 Mixed media on canvas 74" x 72" (188 x 183 cms) diptych http://www.naturemorte.com/exhibitions/2013-12-07_parallel-postulates/

Mona Rai
Krishna-Krishna, 2013
Mixed media on canvas
74″ x 72″ (188 x 183 cms) diptych
http://www.naturemorte.com/exhibitions/2013-12-07_parallel-postulates/

New York:  On December 7th Nature Morte Gallery in New Delhi will be debuting their exhibition “Parallel Postulates” featuring all new work from artists Aakash Nihalani, Anita Dube, Martand Khosla and Mona Rai. All of the works represents an aesthetic focused on geometric patterns and mathematical illustrations. Each artist has an individual approach to utilizing geometric structures in their abstract work.

Martand Khosla System Natural-Iv, 2013 brick dust on paper (silk screen) 31" x 25" (79 x 64 cms) http://www.naturemorte.com/exhibitions/2013-12-07_parallel-postulates/

Martand Khosla
System Natural-Iv, 2013
brick dust on paper (silk screen)
31″ x 25″ (79 x 64 cms) http://www.naturemorte.com/exhibitions/2013-12-07_parallel-postulates/

Although geometric shapes are relatively common themes in abstract-influenced work, “Parallel Postulates” displays a surprisingly diverse range of mediums and approaches. Pieces such as Mona Rai’s “Krishna-Krishna” display mixed media through colors and textures while Martland Khosla’s “System Natural-Iv” uses figural narrative and touches on his experiences with architecture while using the unique medium of brick dust on paper.

Aakash Nihalani Cloud (Yellow), 2012 Painted Stainless Steel 72" x 72" x .25" (183 x 183 x .64 cms) http://www.naturemorte.com/exhibitions/2013-12-07_parallel-postulates/

Aakash Nihalani Cloud (Yellow), 2012 Painted Stainless Steel 72″ x 72″ x .25″ (183 x 183 x .64 cms) http://www.naturemorte.com/exhibitions/2013-12-07_parallel-postulates/

All four of these artists are New Delhi based except for Aakash Nihalani who currently works in New York. Nature Morte is well known globally for celebrating experimental and conceptual contemporary works as well as promoting cross-cultural dialogue. They refer to the space as both a commercial gallery and a curatorial experiment, thus it should come as no surprise that this exhibition displays a wide variety of mixed media. Nature Morte currently represents Mona Rai and Anita Dube. “Parallel Postulates” will be on display through January 4th 2014. Be sure to visit Nature Morte’s diverse group show while in New Delhi this winter. For more information visit Nature Morte’s website here. 

Thukral & Tagra: Q

December 5, 2013

Elisabetta Marabotto of Saffronart shares a note on T & T current exhibition: Q

Thukral & Tagra, Dominus Aeris Escape 5, 2013

Thukral & Tagra, Dominus Aeris Escape 5, 2013. Image Credit: http://www.naturemorte.com/exhibitions/2013-11-27_thukral-and-tagra-q/selected-works/#

London: Nature Morte is currently hosting at the Famous Studio in Mumbai “Q”, the second solo exhibition in Mumbai of artist duo Thukral & Tagra.

The exhibition revolves around a dear theme to T & T: the Indian diaspora  and the feelings of anxiety, insecurity and hope which are connected to that. In the specific “Q is the story of one of the many abandoned brides that haunt the state of Punjab, almost a contemporary fairytale fraught with loneliness, desperation and confusion, yet infused with hopeful dreams that are difficult to let go of.”

Thukral & Tagra, Dominus Aeris Facies 7, 2012

Thukral & Tagra, Dominus Aeris Facies 7, 2012. Image Credit: http://www.naturemorte.com/exhibitions/2013-11-27_thukral-and-tagra-q/selected-works/#

T & T’s art is colourful and provocative, which discusses harsh realities through bright colours and cartoon-like imageries.

“Most of our works address the issues, cultural shifts, problems and beliefs of people living in India today. We grew up with the general acknowledgement that most Indians dream of leaving India and moving abroad,” Thukral says, adding that the dream is “laced with anxiety and insecurity.”

Thukral & Tagra, Pinball 1 (Windows of Opportunity), 2012

Thukral & Tagra, Pinball 1 (Windows of Opportunity), 2012 . Image Credit: http://www.naturemorte.com/exhibitions/2013-11-27_thukral-and-tagra-q/selected-works/#

The exhibition features paintings of different sizes as well as videos and installations. T & T recently also expanded their creativity with a collaboration with the Italian fashion brand Etro for which they designed a bag collection.

Thukral & Tagra, Pinball 11 (Windows of Opportunity), 2012

Thukral & Tagra, Pinball 11 (Windows of Opportunity), 2012. Image Credit: http://www.naturemorte.com/exhibitions/2013-11-27_thukral-and-tagra-q/selected-works/#

Q is on until December 17 at the Famous Studio, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai and you can read more information here.

 

 

Experiments with Truth: Atul Dodiya

December 4, 2013

Ipshita Sen of Saffronart shares a note on Atul Dodiya’s current exhibition at the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi. 

New York: Atul Dodiya, is one of India’s leading and most significant contemporary artists. His solo exhibition ‘ Experiments with Truth’ at the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi, curated by cultural theorist and poet Ranjit Hoskote, brings together for the first time over 80 works by the artist over his prolific career from 1981-2013. It will also show works made by the artist during his time as a student at the J. J. School of Art in the early 1980’s.

Atul Dodiya at National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi<br />Image Source: http://www.platform-mag.com/art/atul-dodiya.html?para=2#article_title

Atul Dodiya at National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi
Image Source: http://www.platform-mag.com/art/atul-dodiya.html?para=2#article_title

The exhibition highlights Dodiya’s versatile artistic practice as he experiments, embraces and explores with various mediums- oil, acrylic, watercolor, mixed media works, sculpture installations, assemblages and photography. His tendency to work with different media and refusing to stick to a homogenous style is distinctive of Dodiya’s work. It is this ability of working across various mediums and juxtaposing Western art history and popular Indian culture through his work, that marks his oeuvre and makes him one of the most sort after and distinguished contemporary artists in India.

Dadagiri, 1998. Oil, acrylic and marble dust on canvas.<br />Image Source: http://www.gallerychemould.com/news/atul-dodiya-experiments%20with%20truth.html

Dadagiri, 1998. Oil, acrylic and marble dust on canvas.
Image Source: http://www.gallerychemould.com/news/atul-dodiya-experiments%20with%20truth.html

The audience is confronted with a variety of forms and mediums capturing the contrasting nature of change. Dodiya being highly influenced by Mahatma Gandhi and his philosophy puts the exhibition in perspective and forms an invisible string connecting the political, cultural and spiritual contexts in his expansive work. Atul Dodiya’s own artistic journey has been considered as constant experiments with the ‘truth’.

Collecting for the Harijan, 1944.<br />Image Source: http://www.sunday-guardian.com/artbeat/dodiya-looks-for-truth-in-a-changing-world

Collecting for the Harijan, 1944.
Image Source: http://www.sunday-guardian.com/artbeat/dodiya-looks-for-truth-in-a-changing-world

Strong influences of artists such as Nandalal Bose, Benodebehari Mukherjee, Marcel Duchamp, Joseph Beuys, Tyeb Mehta, Gerhard Richter and Bhupen Khakhar can be traced in Atul Dodiya’s art. Works by these masters will also be on display as reference points, enabling the visitor to comprehend Dodiya’s work more effectively.

Image Source: http://caravanmagazine.in/showcase/experiments-truth-art

Image Source: http://caravanmagazine.in/showcase/experiments-truth-art

Atul Dodiya pursued his bachelors of Fine Arts from Sir J. J. School of Art in Mumbai. He furthered his academic training at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris from 1991 to 1992 subsequent to a scholarship awarded by the French Government. He currently lives and works in Mumbai.

Happy 100th Mr. Husain

December 3, 2013

Aaina Bhargava on Saffronart introduces the exhibition Maqbool at Dubai’s Sovereign Gallery

M F Husain, Story of the Brush, Pencil on Paper

M F Husain, Story of the Brush, Pencil on Paper. Image Credit: http://www.sovereignfze.com/Photos/maqbool/23_MFHUSAIN_L.png

London: December 2011, M F Husain dies.  Now, in 2013, the Sovereign Gallery in Dubai is celebrating his birth centenary with an exhibition featuring twenty-five rare self-portraits of the iconic artist.

M F Husain, Self Portrait, 2003, Oil on Canvas board

M F Husain, Self Portrait, 2003, Oil on Canvas board. Image Credit: http://www.sovereignfze.com/Photos/maqbool/19_MFHUSAIN_L.png

Known for his cubist take on Indian modernism, his horses, and sometimes ‘controversial’ depictions of sensitive subjects such as religious deities, his self portraits were usually kept private from public display, until now.   Amongst creating an estimated 60,000 artworks, self-portraits are only a few.  Most works belong to private collectors who had to be rigorously convinced by Sovereign Gallery owner Dadiba Pundole to lend for display.  In his words,

“It has taken me several years to identify and borrow this exceptional body of work from collectors around the world, and we are glad to mark Husain’ birth centenary with this ode to his extraordinary oeuvres…MAQBOOL showcases the legendary artist’s interpretation of himself – at different ages from six upwards, through a range of mediums, and highlighting various aspects of his life… Husain was an acclaimed portrait painter — albeit not in the classic sense — and his self-portraits are another dimension of this medium…however, it is fitting that we could finally bring it to fruition for his birth centenary. This is a tribute to the man I have known and the artist I have represented for most of my life.”

M F Husain, Autobiography X, 1989, Watercolour on paper laid on board

M F Husain, Autobiography X, 1989, Watercolour on paper laid on board. Image Credit: http://www.sovereignfze.com/Photos/maqbool/02_MFHUSAIN_L.png

The exhibition presents a unique opportunity to view the artist’s experience of self-reflection at and of various stages in his life.  An artist, who has been instrumental in representing modern art not only to the Indian public, but representing Indian modern art to the world, certainly has a self-perspective worth experiencing.  The works are featured in a variety of mediums on canvas and paper and six additional non-portrait works will be displayed as well.

M F Husain, Maqbool, Oil and Acrylic on Canvas

M F Husain, Maqbool, Oil and Acrylic on Canvas. Image Credit: http://www.sovereignfze.com/Photos/maqbool/05_MFHUSAIN_L.png

As a precursor to the opening, and as a tribute to Husain’s lasting influence, Mirror Images will display self-portraits by 9 – 11 year students from Dubai International Academy.  Maqbool will run from 22nd November to 12th December 2013 at Sovereign Gallery, Dubai, an expansion of Pundole gallery in Mumbai, where the relationship between the Pundole family and M F Husain initially began.  Consequently, it is only fitting that Husain is re-introduced to the Middle East in the more intimate manner that Maqbool intends to reflect.

For information regarding the exhibition, please visit Sovereign Gallery.

 

Gigi Scaria Finds Meaning in Endless Landscapes

December 2, 2013

Elizabeth Prendiville of Saffronart discusses Gigi Scaria’s new exhibition in Melbourne.

New York: Kothanalloor-based artist Gigi Scaria is currently presenting his exhibition “Dust” at the Ian Potter Museum of Art in Melbourne. The works included were created specifically for the Ian Potter Museum and take the artist on new levels of his craft. Scaria focuses on the desolate desert of India’s border with Pakistan. This is a controversial, but primarily empty and fruitless geographic space.

Prior to the exhibition Scaria traveled to the Thar Desert and found the beautiful nuances of this natural wasteland for his photographs. The desert terrain turned out to have more to offer than simply dust and sand manipulated by the wind. Salt marshes, small patches of plant life and various mineral formations presented themselves. The artist utilizes the non-descript quality of this space, elements of this environment have a universal quality. It is not innately obvious in his photographs where this land is; it could be in any country or perhaps be the remote terrain of another planet. Scaria’s utilization of these spaces is centered on his belief that non-identifiable spaces will leave room for the engagement of viewers. While only leaving hints of a physical space the works offers opportunity for true memories and fantasy. Scaria’s work not only brings a viewer into this remote geographical space but also prompts meaning and emotions to animate the endless landscape.

“Dust” includes three levels of video, photography and installation work. Although this type of work is a bit of an offshoot from his typical technique, his artist process is present in the way he honors the original image yet manipulates it ever so slightly for the viewer. Prior to this exhibition he was one of the five artists to represent India in the Venice Biennale in 2011. He was also a 2012 University of Melbourne MacGeorge Fellow. “Dust” will be at the Ian Potter Museum of Art well into the new year, wrapping up on March 16th. Art enthusiasts in visiting Melbourne in the coming months should definitely experience Scaria’s “Dust”. For more information please visit the Ian Potter Museum website.