Gaze, Reflect & Gather

March 2020 - March 2021 A year to GAZE, REFLECT & GATHER

Curated by Sanjana Shah

5th MARCH - 25th April

1 So let us gaze, reflect and gather. Leave be the notions of predicting, Does it matter what is depicted? GAZE, REFLECT & GATHER When you are a mere bystander.

Experience, emote and evoke. Imprint your thoughts upon the thought. It has been a year filled with a plethora of emotions, both definable There is nothing to control, and indefinable. It is perhaps the closest we have collectively come You are an embodiment of what you fought. to the feeling of complete surrender. In many ways, this surrender to our emotions in an increasingly absurdist world is similar to Creativity keeps us content, the surrender one experiences when engaging with Abstract Art. Finding solidarity in its intent, It pulls you into its calm and chaos: pushing you to gaze deeper, An art-filled life, to reflect on your interpretations and to gather the resultant But your life is also Art, reactions. So let us gaze, reflect and gather. Art is a lot like life, tumultuous yet inspiring. This year has proven Leave be the notions of prediction, that, contrary to what we perceived abstraction may be the Does it matter what is depicted? closest we can come to reality. Because with uncertainty comes When it is all just an experience. a different kind of clarity. And in that clarity we can find freedom. Therefore, this show is a tribute to being. Being contemplative, being one’s unpredictable, untameable self, and most importantly, being present. Sanjana Shah Creative Director Tao Art Gallery AKSHITA GANDHI

Alive 2020 Fluid and acrylic paint on printed canvas 25 x 44 in

Rs 2,80,000 + 12% GST

Gandhi merges social, historical, and mythological concepts in her work concentrating on breaking out of stereotypical gender roles, grappling with the history of colonialism, and self- empowerment.

In the mixed media painting, light box, and poetry series Freedom, I Read Banned Books (2019) she advocates breaking free from patriarchal structures. Using light as a guiding principle Gandhi’s work speaks to the transformative power of artistic practice. Her body immersive installations include Le cirque de la liberté (2020) and Dare to Break Free (2020), a commission by the Berlin-based music festival Kater Blau.

The artist lives and works out of Mumbai, India.

4 5 AKSHITA GANDHI AKSHITA GANDHI

Myriad of Love When Charlie Married the Chocolate Factory 2021 2020 Fluid and acrylic paint on printed canvas Fluid and acrylic paint on printed canvas 28 x 46 in 25 x 44 in

Rs 3,00,000 + 12% GST Rs 2,80,000 + 12% GST

6 7 AKSHITA GANDHI AKSHITA GANDHI AKSHITA GANDHI

Systematic Chaos The Arrival Apocalypse 2019 2019 2019 Photograph on fujifilm glossy paper Photograph on fujifilm glossy paper Photograph on fujifilm glossy paper 48 x 36 in 48 x 36 in 36 x 48 in

Rs 75,000 + 12% GST Rs 75,000 + 12% GST Rs 75,000 + 12% GST

8 9 DISHAKHA YADAV

Fragile Complications 2020 Water colour, charcoal and thread on paper 28 x 20 in

Rs. 30,000 + 12% GST

Yadav’s art is more of an experimental blend of ideas and imagination. Her works address her personal and shared experiences, the materialistic society we live in, the battle between the brain and the heart, the heart and the society and raises questions of survive in a modern society. The value of materialism centres on placing importance on material possessions as a way of defining, constructing and maintaining one’s self- concept. Materialism stresses the outer world over the inner world. Combining a melange of mediums such as watercolours, ink and thread, Dishakha’s works delve into different raw aspects of our modern society with subjects varying with the surroundings and inherent emotion.

The artist lives and works out of Baroda, India.

10 11 DISHAKHA YADAV DISHAKHA YADAV

Untitled Untitled 2020 2017 Water colour and thread on paper Charcoal and thread on paper 22 x 30 in 18 x 18 in

Rs. 30,000 + 12% GST Rs. 25,000 + 12% GST

12 13 DISHAKHA YADAV

Society and Me 2021 Mixed media on paper 5 x 5 in (each) - Set of 9

Rs. 20,000 + 12% GST

14 15 ILLESHA KHANDELWAL

honey-glazed doubt, shaky dreams 2021 Photograph on archival paper 40 x 48 in - Set of 2, Editon of 3

Rs. 35,000 + 12% GST

Illesha’s practice is largely concerned with landscapes. Her work is not always contained to the studio or represented in material. Her work occurs somewhere under the surface of life, in unnamable spaces and unsayable words, unfelt feelings and secret longings of the soul.

Khandelwal also sustains a social practice. She believes artists need to be around each other to make anything worthwhile. The spaces for this collectivity to occur are few and far between. So, she is working to make space for artists to come together in alternative ecosystems.

The artist lives and works out of Goa, India.

16 17 ILLESHA KHANDELWAL ILLESHA KHANDELWAL iced coffee and hot baths the fine dark nets of your eyelashes 2016 / 2021 2017/ 2021 Photograph on archival paper Photograph on archival paper 40 x 48 in - Set of 2, Editon of 3 40 x 48 in - Set of 2, Editon of 3

Rs. 35,000 + 12% GST Rs. 35,000 + 12% GST

18 19 ILLESHA KHANDELWAL

we are ecstatic that life is temporary 2021/2016 Photograph on archival paper 40 x 48 in - Set of 2, Editon of 3

Rs. 35,000 + 12% GST

20 21 MANISH CHAVDA

Understand A 2019 Oil on canvas 36 x 36 in

Rs. 1,10,000 + 12% GST

Chavda strives to evoke a meditative experience through his work. Through the slow and savoured process he employs in rendering his subjects, he seeks to express the inner life of things. Human figures rarely inhabit his world, and the animals and birds found in his landscapes are always few in number. The simplicity of his style, and of his subjects, make his representations seem natural and organic, yet Chavda creates unique associations and relationships between them. With languorous strokes and layers, he builds an atmosphere bordering on the spiritual, but his works remain devoid of devotional reference and function. His works take viewers on a journey through dream-like landscapes. Like listening to a song or poem, the experience is one of gradual movement and transitions – from soft washes to firm brush strokes, from diaphanous forms to sharply focused details that create a reflective mood of uninterrupted reverie.

The artist lives and works out of Ahmedabad, India.

22 23 MANISH CHAVDA MANISH CHAVDA

Understand B Understand C 2018 2018 Oil on canvas Oil on canvas 26 x 26 in 21 X 21 in

Rs. 55,000 + 12% GST Rs. 45,000 + 12% GST

24 25 MANISH CHAVDA

Understand D 2020 Oil on canvas 9 x 70 in

Rs. 70,000 + 12% GST

26 27 RADHIKA HAMLAI

Untitled 2019 Oil on canvas 59 x 51 in

Rs. 4,20,000 + 12% GST

Hamlai incorporates various styles in her works which explore the complexity of the human psyche. Introspecting on questions like ‘who are we’ and ‘where do we belong’, the artist delves into interpersonal relationships born from her social interactions with people and their intimacies’. Her unique style, inspired by symbolism, is accentuated with the skilful use of acrylic, charcoal, pastels and oil on handmade Japanese paper. The paintings seem jumbled and complicated, an apt depiction of the chaos and compartmentalisation that characterises the human mind. At the same time, the composition also succeeds in lending a visible balance to each work.

The artist lives and works out of Oman.

28 29 RADHIKA HAMLAI RADHIKA HAMLAI

Untold Stories We are in this together 2017 2019 Monoprint on handmade kozo paper Acrylic, charcoal and pastel on paper 25 x 7 in 50 x 77 in

Rs. 40,000 (each) + 12% GST Rs. 6,25,000 + 12% GST

30 31 RADHIKA HAMLAI

The Human Heads 2017 Acrylic, charcoal and pastel on canvas 8 X 8 in (each), set of 8

Rs. 3,00,000 + 12% GST

32 33 SANTOSH JAIN

Lockdown I (initial weeks) - Part of The Lockdown Series 2020 Inks, colour pen, coffee, collage on handmade paper, blotting paper, colour catcher laundry strips & boxboard 30 x 43 in - Set of 12

Rs. 1,65,000 + 12% GST

Jain passionately creates works in acrylic on canvas, charcoals on paper, mixed media and digital collages. These works are a mode of expression for the growing anxiety across society at an individual and community level. Jain continues to come to terms with her new ‘normal’. As a mother away from her children, as a teacher unable to teach her students. But in the middle of this reality she rejoices in her ability to connect with others through her art.

The artist lives and works out of Delhi, India.

34 35 SANTOSH JAIN SANTOSH JAIN

Lockdown II (Part of The Lockdown Series) Unlock VII, Unlock XII (Part of The Lockdown Series) 2020 2020 Inks, colour pen, coffee, tea leaves, kitchen foil, tissue, alcohol rich Chinese inks, collage, gauze, charcoal on archival art paper gold ink on handmade paper, photo paper & blotting paper 30 x 22 in - Set of 2 34 x 33 in - Set of 9 Rs. 1,00,000 + 12% GST Rs. 1,65,000 + 12% GST

36 37 SANTOSH JAIN

Diptych part of The Lockdown Series 2020 Watercolour, ink, charcoal on archival art paper 15 x 45 in - Set of 2

Rs. 1,00,000 + 12% GST

SANTOSH JAIN

Triptych part of The Lockdown Series 2020 Watercolour, ink, charcoal on archival art paper 46 x 22 in - Set of 3

Rs. 1,20,000 + 12% GST

38 39 SANTOSH JAIN

Triptych part of The Lockdown Series 2020 Watercolour, ink, charcoal on archival art paper 22 x 47 in - Set of 3

Rs. 1,20,000 + 12% GST

SANTOSH JAIN

Unlock IX, Unlock X (part of The Lockdown Series) 2020 Watercolour, ink, charcoal on archival art paper 30 x 22 in - Set of 2

Rs. 1,00,000 + 12% GST

40 41 SANTOSH JAIN SANTOSH JAIN

Untold Stories of Resilience I Amma Series 2020 2020 Digital landscape on archival paper Digital printmaking impressions on archival paper 24 x 36 in 16 x 24 in (each) - Set of 4

Rs. 90,000 + 12% GST Rs. 1,60,000 + 12% GST

42 43 SANTOSH JAIN

Untold Stories Of Resilience II 2021 Digital landscape on archival paper 12 x 18 in , 12 x 18 in , 10 x 18 in - Set of 3

Rs. 60,000 + 12% GST

44 45 SHARVARI LUTH

Trignometry Reborn 2018 Acrylic on canvas 36 x 60 in

Rs. 3,75,000 + 12% GST

Luth has equipped herself with the intricacies of visual art practice as well as theory and explores forms and expressions from realistic to geometric abstractions to reach to her idiom that we see today. She draws inspiration from legendary artists such as SH Raza, VS Gaitonde, Piet Mondrian, Mark Rothko and Frank Stella. Her works are currently housed in the collection of eminent personalities such as Shri Amitabh Bachchan, Shri. Devendra Phadnavis and many more.

The artist lives and works out of Nashik, India.

46 47 SHARVARI LUTH SHARVARI LUTH

Intertwined Landscape 2 Intertwined Landscape 3 2018 2018 Acrylic on canvas Acrylic on canvas 15 x 15 in 15 x 15 in

Rs. 35,000 + 12% GST Rs. 35,000 + 12% GST

48 49 SHARVARI LUTH SHARVARI LUTH

Intertwined Landscape 4 Marriage 2018 2019 Acrylic on canvas Acrylic on canvas 15 x 15 in 24 x 24 in

Rs. 35,000 + 12% GST Rs. 1,25,000 + 12% GST

50 51 SURABHI CHOWDHARY

So Blue 2020 Monoprint and acrylic on paper 36 x 74 in

Rs. 1,10,000 + 12% GST

Plaster and the age-old method of printmaking dominate Surabhi’s practice. While mark making has evolved as a new form of expression for Chowdhary – a reflection of her cultural and social milieu - a deeper cathartic process is in development. Concurrently installation is also an ongoing practise in evolution. Chowdhary is deeply intrigued by the constant interaction among humans and the environment as well as a society that has the concept of co-existing on multiple levels. The prevalence of the cause and effect relation within this ecosystem plays an important role in her creation.

The artist lives and works out of Kolkata, India.

52 53 SURABHI CHOWDHARY SURABHI CHOWDHARY The Storyteller A Contained Outburst 2020 2020 Oil pastel and acrylic on paper Monoprint and acrylic on paper 34 x 27 in 23 x 36 in Rs. 85,000 + 12% GST Rs. 70,000 + 12% GST

54 55 SURABHI CHOWDHARY SURABHI CHOWDHARY

Untitled A Contained Outburst 2021 2020 Oil pastel and acrylic on paper Monoprint and acrylic on paper 28 x 20 in 36 x 23 in

Rs. 75,000 + 12% GST Rs. 70,000 + 12% GST

56 57 VIJIT PILLAI

Blue Village 2016 Acrylic and mixed media on canvas 36 x 48 in

Rs. 2,65,000 + 12% GST

Pillai uses his own photographs and other inspirational references to make new forms through the use of textures, filters, patterns and sophisticated digital techniques with acrylic paint on canvas in the genre of ‘Mixed Media Art’ in exclusive or limited edition canvases.

His artworks have been displayed along with masters like MF Hussain and FN Souza at The All India Auction of Modern and Contemporary Artists at Windsor Manor, Bangalore in August 2013.

The artist lives and works out of Hyderabad, India.

58 59 VIJIT PILLAI VIJIT PILLAI

Piazza Navona Celestial Solitude 2015 2015 Digital print on canvas Acrylic and mixed media on canvas 32 x 56 in 37 x 56 in

Rs. 1,40,000 + 12% GST Rs. 3,00,000 + 12% GST

60 61 VIJIT PILLAI VIJIT PILLAI

Pieta St. Peter’s Basilica 2015 2016 Digital print on canvas Digital print on canvas 32 x 45 in 32 x 45 in

Rs. 1,25,000 + 12% GST Rs. 1,50,000 + 12% GST

62 63 VIPUL PRAJAPATI

My World On My Table 2021 Graphite dust and pencil on canvas 36 x 72 in

Rs. 4,50,000 + 12% GST

Prajapati’s works depict ideas of self- isolation through a melange of landscapes. While confined within his house during the lockdown months, taking his photographs from Alang shipyard as a point of inspiration Prajapati sketched these paper works. Using found objects available in the home, Vipul created this series of works.

The artist lives and works out of Ahmedabad, India.

64 65 VIPUL PRAJAPATI VIPUL PRAJAPATI

Untitled Untitled 2020 2020 Mixed media on paper Mixed media on paper 12 x 12 in 12 x 12 in