MUMBAI: Teesta Bhandare, the Associate Director of Art Mumbai, has established the “Evolution of Now” pop-up exhibition for young collectors, which features eight emerging artists from across India. The exhibition, which takes place from January 11th to 14th, 2024, at Kathiwada City House in Mumbai, showcases diverse perspectives on contemporary art and incorporates technology and blockchain to establish a clear chain of provenance for each artwork.

The exhibition, curated by Teesta Bhandare and presented by Art Garde, provides a holistic avenue for art appreciation and meaningful dialogue through exhibitions, workshops, masterclasses, and panel discussions. The exhibition features a group of artists whose practices vary in style, medium, and genre, and who are currently in the process of self-exploration and evolution.

Through the utilization of blockchain technology, the exhibition establishes a clear chain of provenance for each artwork, linking the origin of each work directly to the artists themselves. This proof of origin is preserved on Art Garde’s proprietary technology, ensuring the authenticity and provenance of each artwork.

In addition to the exhibition, a panel discussion led by Anish Gawande will take place on January 13th, 2024, featuring diverse perspectives from esteemed panelists Tina Tahiliani Parikh, Sangita Kathiwada, and Kamal Malik. The discussion, titled “Art Beyond the Canvas,” seeks to redefine the boundaries of art and inspire a broader understanding of its significance in different industries.

Teesta Bhandare, the curator of the exhibition, is also the founder of Art Garde, a forward-facing platform that seeks to promote, protect, and increase engagement with the larger art ecosystem. Art Garde serves a two-fold commitment to art through the promotion of cultural engagement and the preservation of provenance tracing by creating a patented tagging technology.

Each artwork exhibited in the “Evolution of Now” show will have a corresponding digital twin that contains information regarding provenance and authenticity. The exhibition provides a unique opportunity for young collectors to engage with emerging artists and gain a deeper understanding of contemporary art.

List of Participating Artists : 

1. Purvai Rai 

Purvai is a graphic designer, textile designer, and multimedia artist. Her delicate graphite and ink drawings on rice paper are a reflection on current upheavals in society and politics, specifically discriminations based on religion and cultural identity, and expressions of dissent. Distilled into an abstract visual language consisting of circles and elliptical patterns, however, they allow Purvai to allude and (re-)present without contentiousness, and to speculate and hint at the precariousness of existences on the margins.

2. Ritu Aggarwal 

Ritu is a contemporary artist whose practice is associated with geometric abstraction, abstract illusionism, and hard-edged painting. A resident of New Delhi, one of the most densely populated urban centers in the world, her practice has always revolved around the idea of urbanization. Through her work, she questions interpretations and interactions with the spaces that surround her and uses two-dimensional picture planes and colors to express certain moods or thoughts.

“My work shows my love for architectural forms, painted, elevated, embedded, and layered on a colorful grid.” – Ritu Aggarwal

3. Kaushik Saha 

Growing up in Kolkata in a middle-class family in the tumultuous 90s and the first decade of the new millennium offered Kaushik a ringside view of how hollowed-out slogans of social piety that promised an egalitarian society turned into the bizarre and the ridiculous in my home state of West Bengal.

Landscape has always been a major presence in Kaushik’s work. A barren, undulating, chumming landscape painted in a quasi-romantic expressionistic flourish remained the mainstay of his imagery for quite some time. The landscapes have no vegetation but are pock-marked with that ubiquitous marker of a consumer society, the advertising billboards or the hoardings

4. Meera George 

Meera’s practice is heavily inspired by ongoing and alarming climate change.

She says, “Stoney white carcass, once bursting with color and life, resigns to a memory that once was. My recent mixed media artworks focus on the effects of climate change on the rising temperatures of seawater and its impact on the delicate coral life and biodiversity. Coral bleaching happens when the sea water is too warm. It forces the corals to expel the algae living in their tissues causing them to turn completely white. Some corals during the process of bleaching, change color as a last-ditch effort to survive. The dying corals gain more pigment and glow in shades of neon. Researchers believe it encourages algae to return. This phenomenon is a chilling, beautiful, and heartbreaking final cry for help as the coral attempts to grab our attention. My latest series is an attempt to bring your attention to this occurrence in the depths of our oceans. The works were created in mixed media. acrylic offers scope for exploration through color, texture, and illusion.”

5. Dheeraj Yadav 

Dheeraj believes that lines serve as the perfect medium for expressing creative vision. “It is within these lines that a world of endless possibilities opens, inspiring me to create novels that reflect my artistic practice.”

Through his drawings and mixed medium works, Dheeraj experiments with storytelling through lines and paper in all their forms.

6. Akshata Mokshi 

Akshata’s passion for painting landscapes and observational drawings around nature found expression in tapestry weaving, which she refers to as “painting by yarn”.

As a student of fine arts at the J.J. School of Arts, Mumbai, Akshata was initially introduced to weaving tapestries. Since then she has showcased her works with considerable praise in India and abroad.

7. Pavan Kavitkar 

Pavan’s practice is heavily influenced by the everyday objects that he collects. Each object, and by extension each work is a representation of some memory or emotion that he associates with the object. His experiences with migration also explain his connection with objects.

“Shifting my space mental as well as physical; my oeuvre evolves with the understanding of these spaces.”- Pavan Kavitkar

8. Sheena Bajaria 

Sheena’s efforts to capture spontaneous creation are much like the ongoing evolution of our world. She compares the strokes of her brushstrokes with how generations shape our journey as individuals and for humankind at large, weaving stories that unfold with surprises and revelations.

Through her abstract creations and powerful brushstrokes, the energy of each work is almost palpable to the viewer and invites the audience to get lost in the strokes and the intentional and unintentional shapes formed by them.

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Founded by the visionary Sanya Malik, an independent art dealer, curator, and writer, Black Cube has consistently represented numerous established and emerging Indian artists since its inception. The gallery’s participation in Art Mumbai 2023 marks a significant milestone in its journey of promoting eminent Indian modern and contemporary artists.

Black Cube will occupy a prominent booth in the modern art section of the fair and contribute to the Sculpture Garden within the outdoor grounds of the event. The booth will showcase the works of renowned artists such as Himmat Shah, Jogen Chowdhury, Krishen Khanna, Thota Vaikuntam, Manu Parekh, Madhvi Parekh, Arunkumar HG, Phaneendra Nath Chaturvedi, Valay Shende, and Yashika Sugandh. Meanwhile, the Sculpture Garden will exhibit pieces by Phaneendra Nath Chaturvedi, Dhananjay Singh, and Valay Shende, all of which are captivating sculptures.

These artworks encompass a range of materials, from bronze with patina to stainless steel. Jogen Chowdhury, Krishen Khanna, Thota Vaikuntam, Manu Parekh, and Madhvi Parekh have each made their mark in the art world through their unique artistic styles. However, this exhibition showcases a shift in the medium of self-expression for these artists, representing a transition from “paint to patina”.

In addition to these esteemed modernists, Black Cube will also feature contemporary Indian artists who push the boundaries of tradition and share a profound interest in the harmonious connection between nature and the mysterious animal world. Phaneendra Nath Chaturvedi, Valay Shende, and Yashika Sugandh are among the artists whose works will be showcased.

Black Cube’s participation in Art Mumbai 2023 is a testament to its commitment to promoting modern Indian and contemporary art on prestigious platforms. The gallery’s founder, Sanya Malik, has developed close relationships with Indian artists over the last decade working in the industry. With Black Cube, Sanya aims to promote their practices and showcase them on prestigious platforms.

Art enthusiasts can book their tickets for Art Mumbai 2023 at https://insider.in/art-mumbai-2023-nov17-2023/event?fbclid=PAAaZtyuEe3XnNF_s4dcfnxVCSQvygY0iqBeHLeHmNtzlEsyfSEYio5n6uXNQ.

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS

Himmat Shah – Born in 1933, is a versatile Indian sculptor known for his unpredictable style. His work spans bronzes, showcasing innovation and artistic evolution. Trained as a drawing teacher, he studied art in Baroda and Paris and was part of Group 1890. Shah’s art includes drawings, sculptures, and murals, exhibited globally, earning him accolades like the Kalidasa Samman.

Jogen Chowdhury –  Born in 1939 in Bengal, is known for blending traditional and contemporary elements in his art. His work reflects the influence of his troubled upbringing in Calcutta, with themes related to political movements and social issues. He studied in Kolkata and Paris and has exhibited internationally. Awards include Prix le France de la Jeune Peinture and the Kalidas Sanman.

 Krishen Khanna – Born in 1925 in what is now Pakistan, grew up in Lahore, and later moved to India due to the Partition in 1947. His figurative artwork captures historical moments with spontaneity and vibrant color. He was part of the Progressive Artists’ Group and exhibited widely in India and abroad. Khanna’s honors include the Padma Shri and Lalit Kala Ratna. He currently resides in New Delhi.

Thota Vaikuntam –  from  Andhra Pradesh, South India, is known for his vibrant paintings inspired by rural life. His work often features men and women from his village, with a particular focus on Telangana women. Strong lines, fine strokes, and the use of primary colors characterize his art. Vaikuntam was born in 1942, studied painting in Hyderabad and Baroda, and has exhibited his work in various galleries across India and internationally. He received the National Award for Painting in 1993 and continues to create art in Hyderabad.

Manu Parekh –  Born in 1939 in Gujarat, Manu Parekh, a graduate of the Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai, has dedicated his art to exploring the relationship between man and nature. His works exude vibrant colors and bold lines that embody the energy he seeks to capture. Parekh’s art is a dynamic interplay of contradictions, evoking emotion and anguish in the viewer. Parekh’s career began in 1968 with a solo exhibition in Ahmedabad, and he has since held numerous exhibitions worldwide. He has received several prestigious awards, including the Padma Shree from the Government of India in 1992. Currently residing and working in New Delhi, Manu Parekh continues to captivate audiences with his captivating and energetic art.

Madhvi Parekh – Madhvi Parekh, hailing from the rural village of Sanjaya in Gujarat, draws from her rural roots to create stylized folk art. Madhvi’s paintings weave fantasy and early experiences into a dreamlike narrative. Her art is marked by fresh spontaneity and flexible compositions, offering a surreal quality. Her work often conveys a sense of emancipation, freeing humanity from the constraints of mechanical time. Madhvi has an extensive exhibition history dating back to 1972, with nearly a hundred solo and group shows worldwide.

Phaneendra Nath Chaturvedi – Phaneendra Nath Chaturvedi, born in Varanasi in 1981, unapologetically unveils the grotesque, robotic nature he perceives in the individuals he portrays in his large-format works. His art dissects the artificiality of appearances and the corruption present in contemporary human existence. With a BFA and MFA in painting from the University of Lucknow’s Faculty of Fine Arts, Chaturvedi’s stark and provocative creations have earned him recognition, including the Vishisth Pratibha Samman and awards from the Ministry of Culture. He continues to challenge viewers’ perceptions of humanity.

Valay Shende – Valay Shende, born in 1980 in Nagpur, is a video artist and sculptor capturing contemporary urban issues. Trained at the Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai, his work bridges the gap between modern industrial views and traditional religious ones in India. Shende’s sculptures, built from minute metal discs and non-traditional materials, challenge conventional ideas of sculpture. He exhibits internationally and combines video art with sculptural installations to provide fresh perspectives on everyday life. His work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions worldwide, including Zurich, Mumbai, and various international locations, reflecting his keen observations and societal concerns.

Yashika Sugandh  – Yashika Sugandh is a distinguished visual artist hailing from Delhi – NCR, holding a Master of Fine Arts Degree achieved in 2017. Her professional journey as an artist commenced in the same year, and she has since made an indelible mark on the art scene. Yashika has showcased her work in numerous prestigious exhibitions, including the India Art Fair, Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Jehangir Art Gallery, ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations), Lalit Kala Akademi, IGNCA (Indira Gandhi National Centre For The Arts), HT City Imagine Fest, Artbuzz Studios, and Emergent Art Space.

Yashika Sugandh’s exceptional talent has garnered recognition, earning her the City Award for Delhi in Kalanand Art by Prafulla Dahanukar Art Foundation in 2017, and the All-India Merit Grant for lockdown Art by the same foundation in 2021. Her educational journey is equally impressive, with an MFA in Painting from Amity University, Noida, and a BFA in Painting from the same institution. Yashika’s artistry is a testament to her dedication and passion, and her participation in various exhibitions reflects her commitment to the world of visual arts. Her work continues to captivate and inspire art enthusiasts nationwide.
Arunkumar HG – Born in Karnataka, Arunkumar H.G completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Fine Art from M.S. University, Baroda. Arunkumar’s sustained artistic investigation into a diversity of ecological concerns brings forth disharmonies, which are created by rampant consumerist culture. This spread is in inverse proportion to the great decline of natural resources and habitats. With each work, Arunkumar brings in his own local, historical, and cultural milieu. The work becomes a generative rather than a conclusive commentary on his concerns regarding the environment at large.

Dhananjay Singh – Dhananjay Singh, born in 1977 in Bihar, is a sculptor whose unique works blend bronze and copper wire, intricately entwined to create near-human scale sculptures and drawings. He has received numerous accolades, including the Commonwealth Arts and Crafts Award and the National Lalit Kala Akademi Award. Inspired during a residency in Melbourne, Singh’s art is an exploration of complex networks and human figures. His art has been featured in solo and group exhibitions, demonstrating his innovative approach to sculpture.

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