‘Brought up as Rabbit’ by Narendra Yadav

The human mind is a complex wonder. Often, social and economic factors lead to its conditioning that affects their perception of different events. Artist Narendra Yadav’s new series, entitled, ‘Brought up as Rabbit’ – just held at Mumbai-based Gallery Maskara - explored the effects of media, Western and artistic conditioning on the human mind on our perceptions.  It was his third solo at the gallery.

Through his work, the talented artist looks to direct the viewer to re-look at the obvious in delightful and satirical ways that never fails to surprise or amuse. His object and video based works successfully straddle conceptual art, sculpture and installation.

His latest body of works question and probe our conditioned responses to the media, the contemporary art world, ‘western’ bias and our own mortality. Yadav skillfully straddles multiple genres from neon, video, and sculpture to site-specific installations, creating works that use humor, irony and satire to expose our intellectual and emotional traps. The viewer is asked to go beyond a programmed response and challenged to face his/her own assumptions.

The artist, born in 1964, in Ratnagiri district of Mahrashtra, holds a B.F.A. (Applied Art) from J.J. School of Art, Mumbai (1987). He has had two consecutive solo shows at Gallery Maskara in 2009 and 2010. His first solo show in 2006 was at the Museum Gallery, Mumbai and he has shown previously at Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai (2007), Lalit Kala Academy, Kerala (2006 and 2008), Gallery Maskara (2008).

In 2010 - 2011 he was part of a group shows at Artissima 17 (Art Fair), Turin, Italy and the India Art Summit. In addition, his video work Stress Release Toys for Instant Justice is part of Commercial Break and was screened at the Nuit Blanche Festival, New York and 54th Venice Biennale. In 2012, Yadav is participating in group exhibitions at the India Art Fair, New Delhi and the VIP Art Fair, Online. The artist lives and works in Mumbai.