‘Oil on Canvas’ by Subodh Gupta

Nature Morte presents its fourth solo in Delhi with a series of new works by Subodh Gupta. The gallery opened its Neeti Bagh viewing space with a solo of his works in December 2003 (this incidentally was the second solo exhibition, the first being in Haus Khas Village in October 2000). The artist’s third solo at their current gallery space, also marks its eighth year there.

The internationally acclaimed artist’s new solo is entitled ‘Oil on Canvas’. Interestingly, the show is comprised entirely of new sculptures. There are no painted works in it, at all. The title, he reveals, originates from one of the works on view. (Nature Morte though, will showcase new paintings by him at the Indian Art Summit in January 2011.) On display are a range of sculptures done in a wide array of materials and forms.

As is known, the renowned artist’s signature medium happens to be stainless steel. This facet of his oeuvre is in evidence. However, there are also works in other materials marble, brass, bronze and wood. All of them in a way continue his dialogue with a range of found and manipulated objects. The intention is to focus on specific objects of a typically mundane nature, which encapsulate implicit multiple meanings and mull over the contemporary India and prevailing circumstances.

Born in Khagaul, Bihar, in 1964, Subodh Gupta has emerged as one of the most celebrated Indian artists on the international scene in the past decade. His works have been presented at prestigious museums, biennial exhibitions and art fairs across the globe apart from a series of solos at the world’s most famous galleries, such as Arario (Seoul and Beijing), Hauser & Wirth (London and Zurich), Galeria Continua (San Gimignano, Italy) and Pinchuk Art Centre (Kiev).

The new series displays the artist’s versatility over the wide-ranging materials, as stated above, to create what he terms ‘minimalist’ and highly ‘conceptual’ works.