FRAGMENTS OF THE FUTURE: TRANSITIONS IN CONTEMPORARY ART- IV
The 5th edition of Ajio Luxe Wkend 2025 which took place at Jio Garden, Mumbai from 10-12th January, marked a significant milestone by introducing art curation on such a grand scale for the first time. This event featured globally celebrated artists showcasing their works, adding a cultural dimension to the experience. The presence of eminent artists and their artworks as part of “Fragments of The Future,” elevated the event, blending fashion and design with art and offering a unique platform for both art and design aficionados. It was a celebration of creativity, where art, style, and culture converged, further cementing Ajio Luxe Wkend as a standout luxury event in the global arena.
Here are some of the exemplary artists who showcased their works at the event:
Photo courtesy: Ajio Luxe Wkend 2025
Teja Gavankar
Teja Gavankar is a Mumbai-based contemporary artist. She delves into the transformation of everyday spaces and objects, blending subjective and objective realities. She has exhibited in prestigious places worldwide and won many accolades including the Nasreen Mohamedi Award (2014) and the Space 118 Contemporary Residency Award (2020).
Her latest project, Neti-Neti-2, featured in the Indian Ceramic Triennale 2024, explores the philosophical concept of “neti-neti,” meaning “neither this nor that.” Crafted from terracotta miniature bricks, construction materials, and motor mechanisms, the piece features two interlocking cones that share shifting elements, creating an ever-evolving interaction. This dynamic movement symbolises the duality of completeness and incompleteness, leading to the Advaita philosophy, where material existence transcends into the eternal. For the first time, Teja incorporates motion and electronics in her work, collaborating with her partner, Vishal Kadam, for technical expertise. The participatory nature of Neti-Neti-2 invites viewers to engage with the installation, becoming both doers and experiencers, embodying the essence of Advaita. The piece challenges perceptions of identity and unity, offering a profound exploration of space, time, and existence.
Photo courtesy: Ajio Luxe Wkend 2025
Sachin George Sebastian
Sachin George Sebastian is an artist whose intricate creations delve into the complexities of urban existence and human connection. Sebastian intertwines philosophy, memory, and sensory perception in his practice. His works often reflect aerial perspectives of civilisations and cityscapes, exploring the cultural impact of urbanisation and movement.
Photo courtesy: Ajio Luxe Wkend 2025
In the exhibition he displayed his series From the In-Between Lands, created with hand-cut acid-free paper and watercolors. Here Sebastian captures the tension between nature’s organic symmetry and the planned chaos of urban landscapes. His works resemble connective tissues, mimicking biological organisms, where patterns emerge as visual metaphors for personal memory and collective experience. These layered constructions juxtapose the meticulous order of design with the unpredictability of human life, creating a dialogue between the known and the shadowy unknown.
Narayan Biswas
Born in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, in 1989, Narayan Biswas brings a unique perspective to contemporary art through his exploration of the interplay between religion, architecture, and cultural heritage. Biswas draws deeply from the monumental structures and craftsmanship of his hometown. By reinterpreting traditional formations, motifs, and values, his work bridges the historical and the contemporary, blending personal narratives with broader philosophical and cultural themes.
Photo courtesy: Ajio Luxe Wkend 2025
Photo courtesy: Ajio Luxe Wkend 2025
In Fragments of the Future, he displayed Panch (2023-24), where he uses metal to symbolise authority and communal interconnection. The circular form of a five-story building, reminiscent of the term Sarpanch (village head), represents an all-seeing, encompassing gaze. Similarly, his Living Momentous (2023-24) draws inspiration from the Pol system, emphasising the strength and diversity of the social fabric through closely integrated architectural elements. This piece highlights how architecture fosters community, weaving together collective identity and shared history. Through his works, Biswas invites us to reflect on the echoes of the past in the present, celebrating heritage while questioning hierarchies and redefining our relationship with architectural and cultural narratives.
Sunil Gawde
Sunil Gawde is an illustrious contemporary Indian artist hailing from Mumbai. His practice spans sculpture, painting, and installations. Gawde is known for exploring dichotomies such as strength versus fragility and light versus shadow, crafting works that resonate on sensory and intellectual levels. His kinetic sculptures and installations have earned global recognition, with showcases at the Venice Biennale (2009), Centre Pompidou, and prominent galleries worldwide. His monumental kinetic pieces have found permanent homes in Taiwan and Morocco, reflecting his status as an influential figure in the international art scene.
Photo courtesy: Ajio Luxe Wkend 2025
In the exhibition he showcased Still Alive III (2016/17) where Gawde presents a powerful metaphor for life’s delicate balance. The sculpture features an elephant — a universal emblem of strength and stability — perched atop a fragile egg. This striking juxtaposition invites viewers to consider the vulnerability inherent even in symbols of power, urging reflection on the need for care and harmony in preserving life’s delicate systems, whether ecological, societal, or personal. The stillness of the sculpture amplifies its impact, creating a moment of suspended tension that lingers in the mind. Through meticulous craftsmanship and conceptual depth, Gawde transforms simple imagery into a profound commentary on resilience and fragility. His ability to distil complex philosophical ideas into accessible, visually captivating forms underscores his poetic and innovative approach to contemporary art.
Dhruva Mistry
Born in 1957, Dhruva Mistry is a celebrated Indian sculptor whose creations span intimate domestic pieces to grand public installations. Mistry’s artistic language is rich in metaphor, drawing deeply from myth, literature, and religion while resonating powerfully with contemporary sensibilities. His genius lies in reimagining ancient symbols, casting them in a modern light to spark renewed dialogue and reflection. Mistry’s work graces iconic spaces worldwide. He has innovated with steel and metal sheets, underscoring his fascination with the interplay of form, texture, and scale.
Photo courtesy: Ajio Luxe Wkend 2025
In this exhibition he displayed his 2023 sculpture, Primal Reconstruct (Epoxy on Stainless Steel), Mistry channels the essence of ancient and modern civilizations. The piece exemplifies his ability to blend cultural narratives with cutting-edge techniques, crafting freestanding forms that captivate through their contrast, beauty, and structural integrity. His sculptural forms — dynamic compositions of lines and colours — explore the relationship between parts and wholes, inviting viewers to engage with space and materiality in profound ways.
Dhruva Mistry’s work continues to redefine the boundaries of sculpture, connecting past and present while exploring the limitless possibilities of form and meaning.
Text by Shalini Passi
Image Courtesy: Ajio Luxe Wkend 2025
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