The sixth edition of the Delhi Contemporary Art Week features several young artists

Gallery Espace

Devi Seetharam (Source: Gallery Espace)

Alongside works of more well-known artists represented by the gallery, such as Chitra Ganesh, Manisha Gera Baswani, Mekhala Bahl, Paula Sengupta, Shobha Broota and Vasudevan Akkitham, Gallery Espace is also presenting works by Gopika Nath and Devi Seetharam. Nath is a textile designer and fibre artist who knits, crochets and embroiders works inspired by Goa, where she is based, and Devi Seetharam’s works are dominated by men dressed in white mundus. “I am very happy to be back at DCAW, which has emerged as one of the foremost platforms for contemporary art in Delhi. This year, at the Gallery Espace space at Bikaner House, we have a curated presentation of textile art showcasing the many diverse, ingenious and dynamic ways in which contemporary Indian artists are making art with fibre or fabric as material, or as idea, drawing on the rich textile traditions of India and speaking to experiences and concerns that we can all relate to today,” says Renu Modi, director of Gallery Espace in a note on the exhibition.

Latitude 28

Somewhere in Northeast India, Part III Woodcut print 48 x 72 inches 2023 (Source: Latitude 28)

“In the latest edition of DCAW, Latitude 28 brings forth new voices from the global South with the participating artists experimenting with mediums and concepts to produce works that are diverse and innovative in nature. The common thread unifying these artists’ distinct forms and techniques is the infusion of traditional styles with new media to generate their own personal aesthetic as a comment on the current trends concerning contemporary times, depicting both socio-political and poetic life experiences,” says Bhavna Kakar, director of Latitude 28. She is exhibiting, among others, works by Badin-based Pakistani visual artist Farhat Ali, whose practice focuses on reinterpretation of history and popular imagery. Also on view are works by artists Shubham Kumar, Aninda Singh, Manjot Kaur, Anupama Alias, Khadim Ali, Sudipta Das and Waswo X Waswo.

Vadehra Art Gallery

Atul Dodiya, Angel, 2019, Oil on Canvas 14 x 17 in (Source: Vadehra Art Gallery)

Part of the 2022 Kochi–Muziris Biennale, Treibor Mawlong’s works can be viewed at the Vadehra Art Gallery showcase alongside American-Pakistani contemporary artist Zaam Arif, who also makes his debut at the event this year. The gallery is also showing Shilpa Gupta’s celebrated neon sculpture as well as sculptural works by Jagannath Panda. Also on view are works by Atul Bhalla, Atul Dodiya, Faiza Butt, Gigi Scaria, KM Madhusudhanan, NS Harsha, Praneet Soi, Pranati Panda and Anju Dodiya, among others. “Keeping in mind the varied audience that visits Delhi Contemporary Art Week, our presentation features work across genres and mediums so that there is something for everyone. We love to make this week an immersion as much as an introduction. We’re also excited to be exhibiting fresh works by contemporary artists in our programme as well as showing the work of an exciting South Asian diasporic artist Zaam Arif for the first time in India,” says Roshini Vadehra, director of VAG.

Blueprint 12

Avantika Bawa – Centro Roberto Garza Sada (Source: Blueprint 12)

Directors Ridhi Bhalla and Mandira Lamba have brought to DCAW Indian-American artist Avantika Bawa’s works, informed by “geographic and architectural differences in landscape”. Emphasising “intersections between drawing and sculpture, stasis and motion, and functional and non-functional intermingle”, Bawa’s works find space with artists such as Ashfika Rahman, Lochan Upadhyay, Nidhi Khurana, Shashank Peshawaria and Visakh Menon. “Exploring the rich tapestry of emotions, cultures, and narratives, contemporary South Asian art transcends borders, connecting the world through its vibrant colours and thought-provoking expressions. At Blueprint 12, we proudly showcase these evocative creations that redefine tradition and ignite conversations, fostering a global dialogue that celebrates diversity and creativity,” state the gallerists.

Shrine Empire Gallery

Anoli Perera Dressmaker’s Dream Series, 2021 Acrylic, ink, pencil, tracing paper, printed image on watercolor paper 8.5 x 8.5 inches each, set of 6 (Source: Shrine Empire Gallery)

With diverse materials and mediums on display, from sculptures to installations, drawings and paintings, at Shrine Empire coming together are artists such as Tayeba Begum Lipi and Baaraan Ijlal alongside Arun Dev, who will make his solo debut at the gallery in October 2023. “We are showing works by artists we have had a long relationship with, including Tayeba Begum Lipi, Baaraan Ijlal, Samanta Batra Mehta, Divya Singh, and are also introducing few fresh artistic voices, such as Harmeet Rattan through our presentation who haven’t shown at DCAW before, which we are excited about,” state Shefali Somani and Anahita Taneja, co-founders of Shrine Empire.

Exhibit 320

(Wahida Ahmed) Details _ Title- water-eaten Size-7 ft x 5 ft Material_ rice paper, acrylic, ink on canvas Year- 2023 (Source: Exhibit 320)

Emphasising new media and “its structures as a place for creative endeavour, aesthetic exploration and furthering visual dialogue”, the gallery is showcasing works by new entrants to its roster, Wahida Ahmed and Deepak Kumar, alongside the likes of Jayati Kaushik, Rahul Kumar, Sareena Khemka, Sumakshi Singh and Yasmin Jahan Nupur. Talking about DCAW, the director of Exhibit 320, Rasika Kajaria, states, “At DCAW this year, we are showcasing some new faces. One of them is Wahida Ahmed. Her body of work uses jacquard as a trope to examine the socio-political fabric of Assam. The precarity engendered by the complex interaction of warring identities, capitalist encroachments vote bank politics, and the caprices of the Brahmaputra echoes in the composite and layered aspects of her works.”

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