Veteran artist Vivan Sundaram passed away at 9.20 am on March 29 at the age of 79. He was admitted to a Delhi hospital following a brain hemorrhage earlier this month. "Vivan Sundaram, our founding Trustee, passed away this morning at 9.20 am," read a press note from Sahmat, a trust co-founded by him along with social activist Shabnam Hashmi. His demise came as a shock to the art and culture fraternity, with many fondly remembering the legendary artist's works and life. Shabnam, who knew the artist for 35 years, told indianexpress.com, "He was an extremely sensitive, creative human being. He responded to anything and everything that was happening in the country. He used to not only generate ideas but also go on to implement them and implement them so well. It was amazing. (His passing away has left) such a huge void, not only in the art world but in cultural resistance too." Extremely sad to share that Vivan Sundaram has passed on . He was one of the finest artist, activist I have known for over 35 years . His demise is a big loss to the art world and also to the creative cultural resistance . 1/3 pic.twitter.com/79SDr9nHn4 — Shabnam Hashmi (@ShabnamHashmi) March 29, 2023 Most recently, Vivan Sundaram was one of 30 artists specially commissioned to make new work to mark the 30th anniversary of Sharjah Biennial, which Kiran Nadar of the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, informed he could not attend due to health issues. "I have had a very long association with Vivan.much before my museum came into being (in 2010). He was not only an artist but a very good friend; we had so much fondness for each other. It is definitely a great, unimaginable loss for Indian art. My condolences are with the family, especially Geeta (Kapur)," said Kiran. The ongoing Sharjah Biennial 15: Thinking Historically in the Present (February to June 2023), conceived by the late Okwui Enwezor and curated by Hoor Al Qasimi, includes Sundaram’s photography-based project, Six Stations of a Life Pursued (2022), signifying a journey with periodic halts that release pain, regain trust, behold beauty, recall horror, and discard memory. We express our deep condolences on the demise of Vivan Sundaram, a brilliant artist, creator, and intellectual who was a committed and active supporter of the cause of the working people and for democratic and secular values. pic.twitter.com/rGeAZMsaey — CPI (M) (@cpimspeak) March 29, 2023 Painter and installation artist Subodh Kerkar, who is also the founder of Museum of Goa, recalled meeting the renowned artist on multiple occasions and being a good friend of his sister Navina Sundaram, who passed away a few months ago. "We recently had a retrospective of his work. It was amazing to look at his take on the Khajuraho paintings, which he did at the age of 22. He bought a catalogue and changed the sculptures on it. He was much ahead of his age. He was one of the few special souls who was not only passionate about his work but in promoting art as well. Lots of people are going to feel the void," Kerkar told this outlet in a telephonic interaction. Calling him an inspiration for generations, artist Pratap Morey expressed shock on his demise. "I am shocked at this moment. This morning, I was talking to a friend about how artists who question the establishment, which we don't see anymore, is necessary. He was one of them. Not just in his practice, he was inspiring, path-breaking with his take on the socio-political happenings beyond the studio too. He and his works will continue to remain contemporary for generations ahead," said Morey. Active in the students’ movement of May 1968, he also helped set up a commune in London where he lived till 1970. On his return to India in 1971, he worked with artists and students groups to organise events and protests, especially during the Emergency years. According to Sahmat, he has had a long-standing identity as an artist-activist engaged with artist groups and collectives, and has used different artistic strategies for collaboration and activism – some of it straightforwardly political/ left oriented. pic.twitter.com/NKIdwbFJoS — Shabnam Hashmi (@ShabnamHashmi) March 29, 2023 Vivan Sundaram's cremation will take place at Lodi Road crematorium, New Delhi on March 30 at 12 noon. 📣 For more lifestyle news, follow us on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook and don't miss out on the latest updates!
