MUMBAI GALLERY WEEKEND TOP 10 PICKS by Shalini Passi
Mumbai Gallery Weekend abridges the contemporary art scape in the country annually, with national and international artists showcasing with frontier galleries of Mumbai. This year, India’s first collectable Design Gallery – ‘ æquō ‘ debuted with MGW (Mumbai Gallery Weekend). Ranging from paradisiacal underwater photography to bewildering sculptures, the event was well curated and structured. Where æquō substantiated the amalgamation of art, craft and design with Florence Louisy’s organic versatility, Desmond Lazaro’s meditative paintings brought tranquility, in-turn juxtaposed by Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran’s syllogistic sculptures.
1) æquō – RAW by Florence Louisy
Æquō, a collectible design gallery was recently launched by Tarini Jindal Handa, with a philosophy of creating a dialogue between artisans, designers and the material itself. RAW is an ongoing show, exhibiting works of the creative genius Florence Louisy, on view till March 26.
2) CHEMOULD – Cosmos by Desmond Lazaro
Cosmos by Desmond Lazaro is on view at Gallery Chemould until March 31. Inspired by personal events, Lazaro’s paintings are meditative and are an aftermath of scientific research and investigations.
3) Chatterjee and Lal – TRINITY by Hetain Patel
Trinity is the final part of Hetain Patel’s trilogy which investigates linguistics and bodily communication, centered around martial arts through British-Indian ethnicity. The film weaves together martial arts and sign – language, with a female led narrative. Trinity is known to be Patel’s best film composition so far. The film is on view at Chatterjee and Lal till March 3.
4) Jāmaat – Rinascimento by Vaishali S x Alessandro Giulani
Rinascimento at Jāmaat, Mumbai is united by designer Vaishali Shadangule and photographer Alessandro Giuliani’s love for marine life, perhaps a tribute to the oceans. The exhibit is on view until February 28.
5) Gallery Maskara – ‘As I am’ by T. Venkanna
As I am is a solo show by artist T. Venkanna, curated by Abhay Maskara. The artist has collaborated with Zardozi artisans of Kalhath Institute, Lucknow. Venkanna’s works are social, political and biographical commentary often depicted through sensual elements juxtaposed by bewildering subjects. The show is on view at Gallery Maskara until March 12.
6) Sakshi Gallery – Con-Contemporary by Siddhartha Kararwal
Con-Contemporary by Siddhartha Kararwal is the artist’s first solo at Sakshi Gallery. The artist’s pastel drawings and wool sculptures are a socio-political commentary delivered via pop culture imagery. Witty and humorous, the works are exploratory of a capitalist society. The exhibit is on view till March 3.
7) Galerie Isa
Galerie Isa marked it’s Ten Year Anniversary with a group show, featuring renowned Artists: Maha Ahmed, Diana Al-Hadid, Edouard Baribeaud, David Brian Smith, Aldo Chaparro, Louise Depsont, Santiago Giralda, Haroun Hayward, Gregor Hildebrandt, Idris Khan, Michael Kunze, Antonio Santin and Conrad Shawcross. On view until February 26.
8) Project 88 – ‘Tropisms’ by Amitesh Shrivastava
The current exhibit at Project 88 by Amitesh Shrivastava are celebrations of painterliness in all forms. From the brush strokes to the composite of colors, we find a landscape of emotions, traversing through his figurative acclaim of space.
9) Jhaveri Contemporary – The Mud and the Rainbow by Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran
The sculptures of Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran are bewildering at first glance , so multifarious and polymorphous are his references. Yet there is a logic to these works, a reasoning which draws the artist to his conclusions. The sculptures have a vivid color palette, immediately catching one’s eye. The Mud and the Rainbow is on view at Jhaveri Contemporary till March 26.
10) Kamalnayan Bajaj Gallery – ‘Ufuq – Zarina a Tribute’
The late Zarina Hashmi is one of India’s leading contemporary feminist artist. Ufuq is a tributary exhibit curated by Arshiya Lokhandwala. Ufuq Translates as “the horizon as the ultimate goal of the traveling soul.” . Participating artists are Anita Dube, Ankush Safaya, Astha Butail, Hemali Bhuta , Mithu Sen, Parul Gupta, Shaurya Kumar, Shambhavi Singh, Shreyas Karle, Waqas Khan. On view until March 12.
Text by Shalini Passi
Image Courtesy: æquō, Kamalnayan Bajaj Gallery, Galerie Isa, Jhaveri Contemporary, Project 88, Sakshi Gallery, Gallery Maskara, Gallery Chemould, Jāmaat, Chatterjee and Lal and Mumbai Gallery Weekend
Find out more about the galleries and artists:
https://www.gallerychemould.com
https://www.kamalnayanbajajartgallery.com
https://mumbaigalleryweekend.com
