Layer for layer

Meher,a performance artist living in Amsterdam,is part of a larger show,which former gallerist

Arshiya Lokhandwala curated as a coming-back to Mumbai’s art scene. Titled The Other Indian,the show aspires to construct a history of Lakeerein —the Contemporary Art Gallery,by revisiting the works of important artists who began their career in Mumbai. Meher was also revisiting the country where she studied art at the J J School. A set of images from her earlier performances were put up on the wall,indicating Meher is a performer who dons different personae.

“Usually,I cook the potatoes during the performance but because we’re not allowed stoves at the NCPA,I gave the potatoes to the viewers to cook at home,” says the Pune-born 40-year-old,who has a large body of work behind her. Meher was fascinated with the process of decay and her first performance,Reflect,A Personal Window Display,at the Jehangir Art Gallery in 1998,showcased that well. She went on to study art further at the Rijksakademie in Amsterdam where she began exploring performance,installation,video art and photographic work — some of which she recently showed at the Tate Modern for the exhibition,Mapping Mumbai.

Unfortunately,much of Meher’s works remain hidden from the Indian viewer since she has been living in Amsterdam since 2001. While her Marathi indicates that Meher has not forgotten her roots,it has meant that an important part of her oeuvre has not been shared with her Indian viewers.

Perhaps that’s why it was such a treat for art aficionados to see Meher’s work. “Through various performances,some of which have been captured in video and in photographs,I have been striving to elaborate a philosophical exploration of human life,” she says. Simply put,she takes an everyday act,like peeling potatoes and makes it into a moment to ponder the violent times we live in.

She also goes to the hair dressing salon and asks for a head massage,insisting that a male in the salon gives it to her. The act is recorded and unveils itself as a performance video at the NCPA show. “Here,Monali is trying to explore taboos. The touch of a strange man is considered inappropriate,even if he is working in a salon. She tries to unpack the taboos built around gender,” says Lokhandwala.

In another set of images,she explores colonialism as she sits clad in a sari,before portraits of several great seafarers and ‘conquerors’,reconstructing history in her own way.

For those who missed the performance,the photographs and video work is with Lokhande and may be viewed on request.