Art enthusiasts in the capital city, listen up! You can’t miss this one…
Image Collage: DCAW
ICYMI, Delhi Contemporary Art Week (DCWA) is back with its seventh edition, showcasing the work of contemporary masters, curated by a group of dynamic women gallerists from the capital city.
Co-founded by Anahita Taneja (founder of Shrine Empire) and Bhavna Kakar (founder of Latitude 28), DCAW began in 2017.
According to Bhavna Kakar, the idea behind the inception of DCWA was to create an event-like format focused on bringing together artists who engage with the changing infrastructure, economy, ecology, landscape, and identity politics. “As a co-founder, I take immense pride in seeing where DCWA has reached today. I am proud to say that it has become a key destination for established and emerging collectors and art enthusiasts. In addition, to highlighting the usage of textiles, the seventh edition varies because it brings together the collaborative effort of six women gallerists and two group shows featuring artists from the South Asian border and beyond who focus on communicating stories and emotions through the language of contemporary art while simultaneously unleashing the inherent beauty of textiles by implying traditional craftsmanship techniques.”
The showcase by Blue Print 12, headed by gallerist Riddhi Bhalla and curated by Rahul Kumar, features artists across India and Bangladesh who have used organically made paper and vibrant colours and implemented traditional needlework techniques to breathe life into stories centring around contemporary themes like loss, body, diversity, creation and globalisation.
Gallerist Rasika Kajaria showcases the works of artists who have used unconventional materials like wires, discarded linen and acrylic paints to communicate stories exploring the themes of modernisation and colonisation. The artists implement oil paint layering to showcase the evolution of contemporary art in India and effortlessly establish a visual connection with the audience.
The artists of Vadhera Art Gallery focus on the revolution of queer communities and the exploration of interpersonal relationships. The artists use contemporary art as an aid to make a social commentary on the evolution of identity. Along with paintings, the artists have also used photography to showcase contemporary themes of South Asian culture like identity crisis, immigration and urbanisation.
Gallerist Bhavna Thakkar gives a voice to young, emerging artists in India and South Asia. The artists bring out themes of belongingness and the expansion of urbanisation throughout the years. Furthermore, the display explores themes of separation, loss of identity and letting go, which will surely strike a chord with everyone.
Helmed by Renu Modi, Gallery Espace features the work of artists who are bringing forth a lively collection of paintings, sculptures and drawings. It also features a drawing installation by globally renowned artist Soma Surovi Jannat that portrays the never-ending cycle of birth, death and infinity.
The artists of Shrine Empire under the patronage of Anahita Taneja and Shefali Somani showcase stories of personal histories, religion, polity and sustainability. The exhibits by some renowned fibre artists in the country and beyond promise tactile and visual appeal.
In addition to the art displayed by renowned gallerists, DCAW also collaborated with Art Mumbai, headed by Teestha Bhandare and Girish Shahane, to organise a special walkthrough to explore two group exhibitions, titled’ Threads that Bare’ and Bold Step Sideways, that bring out heartfelt stories of participating artists centring around themes of separation, loss, grief and identity.
Threads that Bare brings forth a collaboration of fourteen artists across India and beyond who have used textiles and oil paint layering as powerful aids to express and create works depicting contemporary themes like history, social identity and regional pride by using traditional weaving and embroidery techniques like Kalamkari, Crochet, Zardosi and Kantha.
The exhibit titled ‘A Bold Step Sideways’, curated by renowned artist Girish Shahane, features eighteen eminent artists across age groups and displays stories of participating artists that spotlight the shift contemporary art has gone through over the years against the backdrop of textiles, which Girish has also termed as para-modernism.
“The Inspiration behind Bold Step Sideways was a growing understanding within me of shifts in contemporary art after a period of which I was confused about the direction art was taking,” says Girish, “It features some renowned names like Arshi Irshad Ahmadzai, Jasmine Nilani Joseph, Shrimanti Saha, Visakh Menon, Divya Singh, Sajan Mani, Awdesh Tamrakar and Mekhala Bah, Purvai Rai, Al-Qawi Nanawati who will showcase a diverse range of works and communicate stories that strike a chord with everyone. I hope it connects in some way with the tastes and interests of people”.
The Delhi Contemporary Art Week is being held at Bikaner House, New Delhi from the 31st of August to the 4th of September 2024 from 11 am to 7 pm.
Neha Karra is a junior writer, who loves to discover and try the latest trends in style, food and beauty. When she is not curating articles, you will find her playing with kids, reading books, painting and practising Mandala Art. View Profile