Rabi Art Gallery, a name that is synonymous with quality and innovation in the Indian art scene, is all set to captivate art audiences in Mumbai and beyond with a remarkable art showcase at the Jehangir Art Gallery from 28th May to 3rd June, 2024. This exhibition, which brings together a diverse range of rare artworks by Indian masters ranging from pre-independence to contemporary, presents a great opportunity for collectors and audiences to witness the diversity and complexity of Indian art under one roof.
Prokash Karmakar, Acrylic on canvas
Modern Indian art remains the proverbial jewel in the crown for art collectors, with a consistent demand for works by masters. However, finding rare and authentic works has always been a challenge. This exhibition is one such platform that has been curated by Sumanta Paul, the Honorary Advisor of Rabi Art Gallery, showcasing only genuine artworks that he has been meticulously collecting over the past 30 years.
Ramkinkar Baij, Mother & Child, Bronze Sculpture.
In honor of his late father and well-known artist Rabi Paul, Sumanta Paul founded the Rabi Art Gallery in Shantiniketan in 1996. Rabi Paul was a disciple of Ramkinkar Baij and Nandalal Bose. He also worked closely with Satyajit Ray. As a visionary and advocate of Indian art, Sumanta planned multiple art shows around the county. Over the years, Sumanta worked closely with several artists and continued to personally collect their works, building a sizable collection of authentic, rare and remarkable artworks.
Bikash Bhattacharjee, Pastel on paper
This exhibition offers a comprehensive look at two centuries of Indian art practices, encompassing significant trends, artistic interventions, media, and techniques. One can witness the watercolour, tempera, and gouache techniques of the Bengal School incorporated by artists like Ramkinkar Baij, Abanindranath Tagore, Gaganedranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose, Binode Behari Mukherjee, Chittaprosad Bhattacharya, Somnath Hore, Ganesh Pyne, Rabin Mondal, Jamini Roy, and Rabi Paul to the new media and expressions of modern masters and contemporaries like Rabin Mondal, Rabi Paul, Paritosh Sen Nirode Majumdar, Sunil Das, Prokash Karmakar, Lalu Prasad Shaw, and K. Laxma Goud to veterans like Jogen Chowdhury, Samir Aich, Subrata Gangopadhyay, Sunil Padwal, T. Vaikuntam, T.V. Santosh, Ganesh Haloi, Bijon Chowdhury, Sudhir Khastogir, Haren Das.
India's rich tapestry of spirituality, culture, and tradition has indeed been a wellspring of inspiration
Artist: Jamini Roy
for artists throughout history. This exhibition encapsulates the complex artistic practices of Indian art, taking the viewers on a historical tour through the brilliant colours, and gripping narratives and interpretation in diverse mediums.
Contemporary wind - group show of paintings at Raja Ravi Varma art gallery
Contemporary Wind, an exhibition organized by Romartika Art Decoded, showcasing paintings by nineteen emerging artists is taking place at the Raja Ravi Varma Art Gallery in Pune from the 14th to the 19th of May 2024. The show is inaugurated by distinguished artists Prakash Ambegaonkar and Zen Vartan. Saikat Baksi, an author and art enthusiast known for the popular podcast about socio-political and psychological aspects of art, "Art Beyond Canvas," curated the exhibition.
Every artist in the exhibition presents a unique style and content. Aprit Vyas's Pop-inspired artworks surprise the viewers with their vibrant color palette. Onjali M Prasada's unique portrayal of women's faces conveys deep sorrow and wild joy simultaneously. Preeti Anand and Alka C Singh's abstract landscapes transport viewers into a mysterious world of mystic charm. Kranti Desai’s depiction of the eastern theological worldviews on canvas is highly engaging. Landscapes by Nilanjana Roy, Gitanjali Sengupta and Ena Saini offer impressionistic charm. Sulochana Gawde's lifelike depiction of ancient sculptures breathe life into the painted rocks. Jiban Krishna’s pen and ink works are mysteriously thought provoking. Brinda Nilesh’s infusion of tribal style into mythical backdrop pulsates with innocent vitality. Resshma Valliappan’s abstracts are testimony to the whirlwind of passion in the human mind. Indian classical and modern distortion merge in perfect rhythm on Kavita Tambolkar’s canvas. Saikat Baksi's surrealistic paintings lead the viewers on a mysterious quest to uncover the truths of life. Shagun Lathi’s naturalistic paintings are engaging in a nostalgic way. Zahra Ansari and Rishi Baksi’s paintings are leading indicators of art in the world of tomorrow. Harmony of forms and color dance on the canvases of Poulami Jagtap.
Eminent artists, Sharad Tarde and Suchita Tarde will engage in deep analysis with the artists about their artworks. It is an unmissable visual treat for art lovers.
From: 14th to 19th May 2024, Romartika Art Decoded presents
“Contemporary Wind” A Group show of paintings by 19 emerging artists
Ramesh Deshmane had his art education at Govt. School of Art, Aurangabad followed by an advanced course at Sir J.J. School of Arts, Mumbai. He presented his work based on various themes in several leading art galleries at Pune, Aurangabad, Mumbai, New Delhi, Nagpur, Amravati, Nashik etc., and received good public response for his art presentations in solo and group art exhibitions. A proud recipient of many appreciations and awards from renowned art promotional institutions of national and international reputations, he has also actively participated in several art workshops at Mumbai.
His works are in proud collection of many reputed art collectors and art promotional institutions of global reputations in India and abroad,the prominent amongst them being Rallis India, Mumbai, WMI Power Plants Mumbai, Centaur Hotel, Mumbai, Hotel Rama International, Aurangabad, NABARD Bank, Indian Oil Corporation, Mumbai, Mr. Vijay Darda, Mr. Dinesh Vazirani – Saffron Art Gallery, Mumbai and many more. His works are also in proud collection of many art collectors in Italy Paris, U.S.A., Germany, Hongkongetc. Ramesh Deshmane has been conducting Online drawing and painting classes for last 2 years by exploring and experimenting with newer techniques using his emotional intelligence and supervision as well as proper motivations. He conducts drawing and painting classes and guides student for elementary and intermediate grade drawing examinations. He also organises art exhibitions of his students by proper guidance and motivation to them to present their work before the clients/ collectors. He has been awarded by World Genius Records, Nigeria for his immense and incredible contribution to the field of drawing and painting. Apart from other noteworthy awards in this field, he has been duly honoured by the reputed World Genius Records, Nigeria which is truly a feather in his cap. He has been working as an Art Teacher in Shree Sanatan Dharma Vidyalaya & Junior College, Chembur, Mumbai for the last 26 years.
Recent Painting Ramesh Deshmane
The present work illustrates his drawings and paintings made in mix media, Charcoal on card paper, colour pencils on art paper, dry soft pastels on card paper, water colour on art paper etc. He has worked on a variety of themes using these vivid mediums in an expressive style. His works on Lord Ganesha in Charcoal, Soft Pastels, Colour Pencils etc., illustrate sanctity of religious fervour and its relevance for worshipping Lord Ganesha for seeking His blessing in the traditional cult of the worship before commencement of any work. His series on human relations revealing emotional attachment between a man and a woman inapt environments showcase the complexity of such relations in different circumstances. He has illustrated the sanctity of harmony of emotional relations amongst human beings in different environments and their relevance and sanctify for the well being and welfare of society. He has shown various emotions like joy, excitement, encouragement, anxiety, affinity, affection, pangs of separation etc., in sensitive human minds and the justification for their harmony for the betterment of their coexistence in society through close human bonds of affection and their harmonious hues in apt circumstances. The colourful expressions on their faces have a textural base and they thereby reflect an unmistakeable aura of the richness of self expressions. It is a skilful depiction of chairo-scuro expression by Joy-de viver. It represents a variety of masks worn by people in the society for various reasons. All works are unique and reveal the genuine artistic talent and creativity in the artist Ramesh Deshmane as well as his command over the mediums and skilful techniques used for the artistic and aesthetic adornment of his thematic works with the relevant hues on a sentimental plane.
From: 15th to 30th May 2024
“Harmony of emotional facial expressions” Solo show of Paintings by Renowned artist Ramesh Deshmane
Not long after graduating from the JJ School of art in 1959, Prabhakar Barwe took a designer’s job at the Weavers’ Service Centre, an organisation founded by Pupul Jayakar in Madras in the 1950s with the aim of bringing contemporary sensibilities to traditional crafts. By the 1960s, WSC had branches in a number of major cities, and Barwe was initially posted to Varanasi. The city’s traditions of faith deeply influenced his artistic practice even as he set about drawing patterns for local artisans to copy on fabric. The earliest painting in the present exhibition is a watercolour from Barwe’s ‘Tantric’ period. It employs some geometric patterns akin to his work as a designer, but overlays these with symbolic figuration. Specifically, it represents the ‘World Turtle’ or Vishnu’s Kurma avatar, and a bright sun against a background of mauve bands.
Untitled (Studio), Watercolor, Ink, Pastel and Pencil on Paper, 15 x 20.6 inches, 1991
The artist gained a transfer to the Bombay outpost of the Weavers’ Service Centre and the bulk of the drawings and watercolours in the show are designs created in his adopted hometown in the 1970s. The fact that we have such well-preserved examples of his professional practice is a sign that he and his admirers considered the pieces to have significance beyond the immediately utilitarian. Finally, we have three paintings created in the 1990s, not long before his untimely death in 1995. Two of these are characteristic of the style that has come to be recognized as inimitably his own. Created in mellow shades, the paintings gesture towards landscapes within which are placed objects out of proportion to their natural scale, evoking uncanny, dreamlike associations in viewers. These are paintings of an artist who has absorbed the lessons of abstraction, surrealism, Indian miniature painting traditions and of European masters like Paul Klee without being beholden to any of them.
The last painting is a relatively realistic depiction of an artist’s studio and of a building in which the studio is presumably housed. The modesty of the arrangement creates a mood of contentment, suggesting this is all an artist needs to be happy. Barwe himself adhered to a philosophy of simple living, one from which the art world has moved a great distance in the years since his death, heightening the sense of nostalgia contained in the painting.
About The Gallery
Akara blends the rich traditions of modern art with the innovations of contemporary practice. Nestled in the art district of Mumbai, Akara operates across two spaces: Akara Modern, one of the leading modern art galleries in India since 2015, and Akara Contemporary, a new platform for the current and next generation of South Asian and international artists. Across both galleries, Akara centres India and South Asia within the continuum of international art history and brings alternative narratives and realities to the foreground of global discourse. Through exhibition programming, artist representation, institutional partnerships, art fairs, gallery collaborations, and art advisory, from which it first was established in 2009, Akara aspires to transcend borders in its many forms, from the artistic to the geographic.
About the Artist
Prabhakar Barwe was born in Nagaon, Maharashtra, and graduated from the Sir J. J. School of Art, Mumbai, in 1959. During his stay in Varanasi, the holy city of India, between 1961 and 1965, he came into contact with the canon of Tantra (mysticism) that markedly influenced his work. Known as a symbolist and an abstractionist, Barwe’s multitudinous influences can be traced through the steady evolution of his works. His poetic sensibility combined with his representations of ordinary objects echoed the emotional and mystical associations he wanted to render into his works. The empty space and the use of dedicated minimalistic designs set apart Barwe’s works from his contemporaries. As a painter, he won an award instituted by the Japanese newspaper Yoshihari Shimbun. In 1976, he won an award at the annual exhibition of the Lalit Kala Akademi and in 1969, he was awarded the Yomiuri Shimbun Award from Japan. Barwe had his works exhibited in several shows including one at Wisconsin, U.S., in 1963; Indian Painters, Zurich, 1970; Grey Art Gallery, New York in 1975; International Biennale, Menton, France, 1976; Modern Indian Painting, Hirshhorn Museum, Washington in 1983 and more. Towards the end of his life, he wrote a book in Marathi called Kora Canvas (Blank Canvas), documenting his feelings, expressions, struggles, and satisfaction as an artist
Art & Soul presents "Conversing Social Tools," a multi-media exhibit by artist and professor Rajendra Patil/PARA that delves into the intersection of Art and Archaeology.
The conversations outline a symbiotic relationship shaped by a series of minimalist objective abstracts and raw sculptural forms, timeless and reflective of heritage retelling.
"Conversing Social Tools" by Rajendra Patil previews on Wednesday, 8th May, 5:30 pm onwards, along with a panel discussion on "Interoception in Abstract Art" with eminent artist Dilip Ranade, artist and researcher Nitin Kulkarni, and Para, uncovering the age of Abstracts.
For its milestone 100th auction, AstaGuru showcased an exquisite array of rare works from different periods of modern art. From works by esteemed early modernists such as Jamini Roy, J P Gangooly, Amrita Sher-Gil, Sailoz Mookherjea, and N S Bendre, as well as stalwarts of the Progressive Artists’ Group including F N Souza, S H Raza, M F Husain, K H Ara, and others, the auction showcased works from several revered artists who shaped the narrative of Modern art in India in 20th. The auction was held on April 27-28, 2024.
Siddanth Shetty, Chief Administrative Officer, AstaGuru Auction House, states that “We are thrilled to have reached this pivotal juncture in AstaGuru’s journey. The milestone auction is an important celebration and reflection on how over the years, AstaGuru has been at the forefront of fostering dialogue, appreciation, and acquisition of exceptional artworks. As it continues to evolve and innovate, AstaGuru reaffirms its position as a leading platform for collectors to acquire rare treasures from the oeuvre of Modern Indian Art. We hope to continue with our contribution in shaping the future trajectory of the art market within India and globally. Moreover, the landmark auction is a testament to the fact how works by Indian modernists are consistently sought after by collectors.”
The auction concluded with exceptional results and also created nine records. Here are some highlights of the world records created.
A work by British artist Benjamin Hudson was acquired by 71. 9 lakhs. The large scale painting is Hudson’s portrait of Rajah Pratap Chandra Sinha who belonged to the Sinha family of Paikpara.
A beautiful oil on canvas creation by artist J P Gangooly, was sold for 2.6 crores. A luminary of academic realism in Calcutta, artist Jamini Prakash Gangooly was a master painter known for his profoundly beautiful landscapes. Renowned for his exquisite portrayal of light and shade, Gangooly’s penchant for capturing the transient beauty of twilight hours set him apart.
A work by one of India’s Navratna artists Sailoz Mookerjea, also created a world record after being acquired for 1.2 cores. An early pioneer of modern painting, Sailoz Mookherje though his thematic focus remained rooted in rural Indian life and landscapes.
K K Hebbar
A beautiful painting depicting Krisha as a herdsman by K K Hebbar was acquired for a handsome value of 2.9 crores. Hebbar was first inspired by his father, who sculpted clay idols of Ganesha for festivities. His early introduction to traditional Indian painting and religious iconography folk art is evident in the presented lot, with his exploration of the iconic imagery of Krishna with his flute.
A work by artist A A Almelkar, lot no. 21, was acquired for 37 lakhs. Almelkar’s artistic lineage was steeped in the rich tradition of stylized “Indian” paintings, characterised by intricate detailing and influences from the miniature art tradition.
A record was also created for a painting, from the ‘Pastoral’ series by artist Anjolie Ela Menon. The series is inspired by the studio she works out of in Nizammudin and the sights surrounding it. Her observations and reinterpretations of the scenes she sees translate into iconic imagery that is now synonymous with Menon. This work was acquired for 1.3 crores.
A Neo-Tantric theme work by Biren De also achieved a world record after being sold for over 1 crore. Biren De’s ultimate goal throughout this exploration of consciousness was to arouse the psyche of not just himself but the viewers.
Another world record was achieved for a large scale creation, from Manu Parekh’s famous benares series which was sold for 2.3 crores. This series of paintings that first began nearly 30 years ago are an expressionist take on Banaras. The artist concerns himself with energies and urges his viewers to observe the world through the lens of emotions present in his paintings.
A record was also made for artist Gurcharan Singh with his large-scale creation being sold for 37.6 lakhs. Singh’s work explores the intricate relationships between diverse elements that shape our world. Significantly, his paintings consistently feature a recurring theme of juxtaposing animals with prostitutes, serving as symbolic representations that unveil the primal nature inherent in humanity.
The 100th auction also showcased works by several other artists, including Nicholas Roerich, Manjit Bawa, Akbar Padamsee, Bikash Bhattacharjee, Sakti Burman, Bhupen Khakhar, J Swaminathan, Ram Kumar, William Daniell, Paresh Maity, G R Santosh, B prabha, Ganesh Haloi, Satish Gujral, Bal Chhabda, Ganesh Pyne, K H Ara, and Rameshwar Broota amongst others. Please visit the AstaGuru to view the entire auction result.
Anjolie Ela Menon
About AstaGuru
AstaGuru Auction House was conceptualised in the year 2008 with the sole purpose of creating a safe and secure platform to conduct online auctions for Contemporary & Modern Indian Art. Over the years, AstaGuru has curated auctions encompassing diverse categories, our portfolio includes art, jewellery, fine silver, timepieces, textiles, celebrity memorabilia, rare books, numismatic, philately and vintage cars. In 2018, AstaGuru became the first Indian auction house to present an exclusive
edition for vintage and classic cars. “AstaGuru has strived to successfully bridge the gap between prospective buyers and consignors by transcending the limitations of live auctions. AstaGuru imparts effortless transparency to the process of acquiring and selling art and rare collectibles. The online module offers bidders the opportunity to bid from the comfort of their houses or while they are on the go.
A group art exhibition ‘Sankalp Art Fest’ showcasing the works of about 37 talented artists will be held at Namah Royal Banquet, Ganesh Temple, Gate No.3, Vajira, Borivali (West) (Opp. Don Bosco School), Mumbai on 4th and 5th May, 2024 from 10 am to 8 pm. It will be open for free public viewing. The artworks created by the participating artists in different mediums and styles using their skilful techniques will be displayed in the exhibition. This show will be organized by Rupali Mistry who will present her own artwork along with others in this exhibition.
Rupali Mistry - Curator
Vivid artworks to be presented in this exhibition include the beauty of nature in different seasons/ landscapes, realms of life, emotional mindscapes of young sensitive girls in conducive environments, urban and rural cityscapes, monuments and heritage religious shrines and places of worship along with the eternal atmosphere there and many more. These works will be in oil, water colours, Acrylic colours, Charcoal, pen and ink, itching and other mediums. The various styles adopted by the artists for their work include realistic, semi-realistic and abstract etc.
The vivid participating artists in this show are:-Rupali Mistry – Rupali Arts, Uma Joshi – Malhar_arts, Hansa Asher, Beena Joshi, Parth Raulkar, Sarvesh Patil, Prachi Kotkar- Creatureeye, Uushma Udeashi – Jarukho Arrt, Amruta Gharat, Sangeeta Wagle, Shreya Chichbankar, Janvi Gudekar, Namrata Shah - Art_by_Namz, Shruti Poojary, Hemangi Sukhadiya – Yesha’s Creation, Meghana Akerkar - Meghnart, Meghna Gothiwala, Snehal Gupta, Payal Vishwakarma, Paridhi Vora, Priti Arte, Swati Nazare –Prizm Art, Aarti Harsora – Mehendi Artist, Nishit Shah - Meraki Tees, Shweta S. – Sanisha Creations, Jayashree Pawar, Zuleika Tatary, Yashvi Shroff – Sangaath Creations, Shweta Shah – Treats and Ties, Lubna Mohammad – Rachaita Handcrafted Jewellery, Prajakta Aajgaonkar, Rupa Haridas, Vivina Sheirin, Bhavana Mehta, Sayani Mujumdar, Sunil Goyal.
Press Release
From: 4th & 5th May 2024 / Sankalp Art Fest Presents, / An Art Exhibition
VENUE: Namah Royal Banquet, / Ganesh Temple, Gate 3,
Vajira, Opp. Don Bosco School, Borivali(West), Mumbai.
