HIGHLIGHTS FROM ART MUMBAI 2023
The first edition of Art Mumbai opened its doors on 16th November, 2023 at the Mahalaxmi Race Course, assembling 53 galleries from four major cities in the country- New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. The fair, the first of its kind in the city, also hosted international galleries from USA and Middle East.
The carefully curated booths, each a miniature gallery in itself, showcased the rich tapestry of India’s artistic landscape. From emerging artists pushing boundaries to established maestros presenting their latest masterpieces, the fair served as a melting pot of contemporary art. Here are some highlights from the fair.
1. SHRINE EMPIRE
Displaying works embedded in the South Asian experience are artists Samanta Batra Mehta, Tayeba Begum Lipi, Anoli Perera, Arun Dev, Shruti Mahajan, Divya Singh, Awdhesh Tamrakar, Sangita Maity and Neerja Kothari. With this overarching context of South Asia, the themes we see are that of migration, community politics, urban migration, gender and identity, memory and nostalgia, erased histories, and the expansive concepts of time and space.
Samanta Batra Mehta: Through her collection of archival material such as maps, antique maps, books and vintage objects, points to the tangible things that are a mark of permanency in the otherwise shifting geographies in her life. Being from a family that has experienced generational migration, her work reflects the movement her family made for years.
2. EXPERIMENTER
Showcasing the works of 17 contemporary artists is Experimenter. Kallol Datta’s work is characterized by a profound exploration of garments, particularly the veil and shroud, transcending conventional notions and delving into their historical and cultural significance. Datta draws inspiration from diverse veiling practices across regions such as Southwest Asia, North Africa, the Korean peninsula, and the Indian subcontinent. A notable element in his work is the juxtaposition of fabric against form. Through structural experiments involving cutting and sculpting, Datta introduces intuitive trajectories. He employs tassels additively, inducing patterns to behave differently and creating a tension of imbalance within seemingly benign shapes.
3. GALLERY XXL
At Booth 32 of Art Mumbai is Gallery XXL with their exhibit Clusterflux. Bringing together works by urban street artists, Clusterflux reminds one of the visual chaos seen on the streets of Mumbai. Various mediums and forms urge the viewer to reimagine the ways in which we interact and respond.
Guesswho, an anonymous street artist active since 2012, employs street art as a subversive form of expression to contribute to the ever-evolving cultural tapestry of a city. Through astute commentary on socio-political issues, Guesswho creatively reinterprets images from pop culture, placing them in familiar settings to illuminate the intricate layers of each subject.
4. THRESHOLD GALLERY
The relationship between humans and nature is delicately explored by the artists represented by Threshold Gallery at Art Mumbai 2023. With various stylistic approaches, nine artists delve into the idea of humanity and identity, a complex bond that is ever-changing in its forms.
Anindita’s latest series is centred around a unique approach to self- representation, extending beyond traditional human forms to delve into the concealed narratives of the animal kingdom. Pandit Khairnar and Rahul Inamdar, through their abstract work, contemplate nature in a nonrepresentational manner. Their art transcends tangible forms, delving into the realm of intangible emotions and thoughts, offering a unique perspective on the natural world.
In contrast, Neha Lavingia draws inspiration from flowers, leaves, and feathers, considering them as captivating subjects for her artistic exploration.
5. GROSVENOR GALLERY
Established in 1960, the Grosvenor Gallery represents a vast range of artists- from modern European artists like Magritte, Picasso, Chagall to modern and contemporary South Asian artists like the Bombay Progressives and many more.
On display at Art Mumbai this year are modernist artists Maqbool Fida Husain, Sayed Haider Raza, Lancelot Ribeiro, Francis Newton Souza and Akbar Padamsee. Also showcasing their art are contemporary artists Senaka Senanayake, Krishen Khanna, alongside Ravinder Reddy.
Raza’s L’Arbre (French for “tree”) exhibits his structured and geometric form of abstraction. From earthy tones to intense blues and reds, Raza’s colors were a testament to his emotional and spiritual exploration.
Text by Shalini Passi
Image Courtesy: Shrine Empire, Gallery Threshold, Gallery XXL,
Experimenter, Grosvenor Gallery
Find out more about Art Mumbai 2023:
https://www.grosvenorgallery.com/privateviews/1db3dd633a18b6b624ec20/
https://www.gallerythreshold.com/exhibition/art-mumbai-2023/
https://www.artmumbai.com/landing-page
https://www.shrineempiregallery.com/exhibition/art-mumbai-2023/?exhibitiontab=2023
https://experimenter.in/art-fairs/67-art-mumbai/
