Dali Revisited

Major Arcana literally means “trumps” and it is a suite of 22 cards in tarot,which have occult or divinatory symbolism. Anand’s work draws references from some of Dali’s most important pieces like the Three Graces,the Mae West Couch and Adonis . “I have been fascinated by the works of Dali since the age of 13,and I have been reading tarot cards for the last 10 years,” says the 48-year-old artist,explaining why he chose tarot cards as the medium to pay tribute to Dali.

Anand was based out of New York and Paris until recently but has now shifted base to Delhi. He appeared on the Indian art scene in 2002,with a solo in which he covered Bollywood posters with sequins and spangles. The critics were only mildly interested but society ladies lapped it up.

In Major Arcana,Anand takes off from his first show in many ways. “I have worked with embroiderers and sequin craftsmen to cover the oil paintings with glitter and 24-carat gold leafing. As a result,each card has the gleam of jewels,” says Anand.

There are 78 cards in a tarot deck but Anand says that he balked at the idea of making that many crafted works. Instead,he chose the Major Arcana cards,which show symbolic figures like the High Priestess,Justice and the Hermit. In the exhibition,look out for Anand’s depictions of the Sun,the World,the Old man with the Lantern,the Lovers and Death. “Everyone assumes that Death is a negative card but it actually symbolises a big change. I have rendered a beautiful rose and skull in the middle of the tree. The skull also has echoes of Damien Hirst,” says Anand,whose works often quote other artists. “It’s interesting to note that Dali,too,was constantly referring to other artists like Michelangleo and Raphael. In that sense,it’s a long tradition that we follow,where copyright is not an issue,” he says with a grin. Each card is priced at Rs 15 lakh and available individually,though Anand would prefer if the whole story is kept intact.

To accompany the canvases,Anand has done 12 installations,also inspired by works of Dali. “There are sculptural references to Dali’s Bleeding Roses,his Burning Giraffe and two heavily embellished chairs with tarot images. These are,of course,not functional chairs,” says Anand.

The exhibition bears the opulence and love for the oriental that was Dali’s signature. “Speaking of signatures,I have also put Dali signatures in each work and each signature is different,” says Anand. Wonder what the Spanish painter would have thought of that!

The show will be on till May 17.

Contact: 49502026