NE FEATURES SERVICE
Works of senior artists like Jyotsna Bhatt, Ira Chaudhuri and Savia Mahajan will be on display at the Vadodara-based Gallery Ark’s upcoming exhibition ‘Elements in Mythology’, focussing on ceramics and pottery.
The exhibition carries a thoughtful curation of work by India’s leading contemporary artists, working within the medium of clay and ceramics.
Artists include Madhavi Subhramaniam, Savia Mahajan, Ira Chaudhuri, Jyotsana Bhatt, Reyaz Badaruddin, Vineet Kacker and Vinod Daroz.
The exhibition opens on December 14 and will be on view till January 18, 2020.
The exhibition has been conceptualised to bring together a varied range of artistic expressions, from the work of senior artists such as Jyotsna Bhatt and Ira Chaudhuri, who have been integral in spearheading the evolution of ceramics in the Faculty of Fine Arts at M.S. University of Baroda, to the Mumbai-based Savia Mahajan, whose in-depth and experimental approach to ceramics has won her international acclaim.
Founded in 2017 by Seema and Atul Dalmia, Gallery Ark has established itself as a vital cultural hub, promoting the accessibility of contemporary art and bringing a sense of identity to the ever-growing artistic community of Vadodara.
‘Elements in Mythology’ is Gallery Ark’s eleventh show and is a part of the gallery’s broader vision to create a dynamic, state of the art space to promote multidisciplinary collaborations as well as promoting conversations on patronage.
Storytelling and myths form a vital part of the spirit of the exhibition with each artist presenting a new approach to the timeless human instinct of sharing narratives.
Madhvi Subrahmanian, for example, has created personalised Mappa Mundi, referencing the ancient technique of mapping from medieval Europe to create her own “maps” that chart her travels between Mumbai and Singapore, the two cities that she calls home.
Architect-turned-ceramic artist, Vineet Kacker presents a series that references spiritual thought, sampling and remixing old texts, icons and imagery into new visual works that are accessible without being populist and symbolic without being derivative.
Commenting on the exhibition’s focus on ceramics, Gallery Director Nupur Dalmia said, “Gujarat lies within the peripheries of the ancient Indus Valley civilization and archaeological sites here have revealed samples of pottery traditions almost 4000-year-old.”
“This show is our tribute to this long history we live with and carry forward. Age-old ceramic and pottery techniques have been reinterpreted with the ingenuity of the artists. We look forward to rounding off what has been a special year for Gallery Ark, with this wonderful selection of artists,” she said.
