HIMMAT SHAH - Innocence & Creativity, Solo show at ICIA Gallery - AstaGuru

Institute of Contemporary Indian Art powered by AstaGuru Auction House in association with Namtech Fine Art, is honoured to present 'Himmat Shah - Innocence & Creativity', an exclusive exhibition showcasing the profound artistic journey of revered sculptor Himmat Shah, whose innovative works have left an indelible mark on modern sculpture. This collection features a unique assembly of bronzes, all masterfully cast at the renowned Bronze Age Foundry in London, where Himmat has skillfully worked for over two decades. The curation features seminal works such as Man From Moon and Tirthankar.  The works from Tirthankar series transcend mere representation, becoming iconic symbols of ancestral memory and spiritual guardianship.

The exhibition also chronicles forms that the modernist has revisited throughout his career. The exhibition will also display his exploration of large works executed in stone and solid gold casts for his miniature sculptures.

 Speaking on his work and association with AstaGuru, Himmat Shah says, “

My journey as an artist has always been about striving for creativity and excellence. I met Tanuj Berry in 2006, and we talked about the challenges of achieving high-quality casting in India. He introduced me to a foundry in London, where I realised my vision with incredible precision, and was amazed by the quality of casting at Bronze Age. Their interest in enlarging some of my sculptures led to the creation of larger pieces that really stand out in the exhibition.

 

The beautiful patinas and increased scale have given new life to each piece, highlighting the intricate details I imagined. One of my favourites is "Tirthankar," along with some heads inspired by my experiences in London.The beauty and uniqueness of women from all walks of life inspired me to create sculptures that celebrate diversity, with each head telling a story of strength and individuality.

 I’m excited to exhibit my work with AstaGuru, a platform that champions artists like me. I hope these sculptures connect with viewers and inspire an appreciation for the diverse identities and experiences that enrich our world.”

Speaking on the association, Manoj Mansukhani, Chief Marketing Officer at AstaGuru says ''We at AstaGuru are truly privileged to showcase Himmat Shah’s remarkable body of work through the 'Himmat Shah - Innocence & Creativity' exhibition.This collection represents a legacy of artistic mastery, as Shah's works transcend conventional sculpture to engage with themes of memory, spirituality, and individuality. We look forward to welcoming art enthusiasts to experience this unique curation, which offers a glimpse into Himmat Shah’s creative journey and his dedication to capturing the essence of human experience."

The exhibition will be held on 16-18 November, 2024 at the ICIA Gallery at Kalaghoda, Mumbai and will be inaugurated by Himmat Shah himself.

  

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.

 For more information, please log on to https://www.astaguru.com/

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INK WHISPERS at Nippon Gallery, Mumbai

Dibakar Das based in Mumbai, India, channels his profound connection to nature, urban life, and personal reflection into his art. Drawing from the bustling energy of Mumbai's cityscape, the tranquil Mumbai Sea, and the subtleties of day-to-day life, Dibakar’s work captures a unique tension between movement and stillness. His artistic practice is further shaped by a meditative approach, with each piece embodying the balance of light and darkness, all conveyed through ink’s fluid yet potent nature

Artist: Dibakar Das

Using brush strokes and natural stick pens, Dibakar brings organic texture and depth to his work. His approach allows ink to reveal the contrasts of light and shadow, mirroring the complex duality of existence. Known for his expressive and contemplative style, Dibakar invites viewers to step into a world where city life and inner peace coexist harmoniously.

"INK WHISPERS" at Nippon Gallery in Mumbai is an evocative exploration of these influences. Each piece in this solo exhibition reflects Dibakar Das’s mastery of ink in abstract expressionism, combining raw emotion with the essence of Mumbai’s vibrancy and natural beauty. Through fluid forms and dynamic compositions, Dibakar delves into themes of connection, resilience, and introspection, presenting a nuanced view of life that resonates universally.

Signature works in "INK WHISPERS," such as “untitled moments 1” capture this interplay of light and darkness, mirroring the energy of the busy city and the quietude of meditation. The exhibition immerses visitors in a world shaped by organic forms, revealing the spontaneous yet calculated nature of ink’s movement.

Through "INK WHISPERS," Dibakar Das transforms ink into a medium of emotional expression, where the balance of opposites—light and dark, chaos and calm—creates a visual narrative that is both intensely personal and universally relatable. Each piece is a whispered reflection on the nature of existence, inviting viewers to discover the layers of meaning hidden within the abstract.

INK WHISPER

SOLO EXHIBITION

BY: DIBAKAR DAS 

12-16 th NOVEMBER 2024

03:00 pm - 08:00 pm 

For more Information, visit 

NIPPON 

2nd Floor, Flora Fountain, Deval Chambers 30/32, 2, Nanabhai Ln, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001

ART NOVEMBER GROUP SHOW OPENS WITH ITS FIRST PHASE OF EXHIBITIONS

Romartika Art Decoded is back with its signature group shows of paintings by emerging artists At Malaka Art Gallery, Koregaon Park, Pune. During the month of November, there will be two group shows back-to-back. The first phase of the show is being held between 4th to 15th November. The show has been inaugurated by Mr. Sanjeev Pawar, Director of Art Pune foundation.

Curated by Saikat Baksi, the exhibition offers a captivating blend of Indian Classical, realism, and abstract expression. Artist Mamta Prasad presents a blast of passion on her canvases. The hint of an emotional whirlwind swings in harmony with joy and sorrow in her paintings. Artist Nilima Gadling’s black and white pen and ink paintings beacon the viewers into a Zen like abstraction. Her canvases present an unusual blend of calligraphic strokes and natural rhythm. The realistic expressions by Artist Nisha Kshatriya border on impressionist style. The contrasting intensity of color in her portraits as well as landscapes stop the viewers on their track. Artist Preeti Shah presents a diverse mix of style and form, celebrating joy through her displayed oeuvre. Artist Anusha Singh’s seamless transition from poetry to abstract expression touches the heart of the art lovers. Her canvases hold a promise of a unique style unseen before.

 

Artist: Mamta Prasad

Overall, it is a remarkable visual experience unmissable for art lovers in the city.

“INFINITE SPACE” Solo Show of Paintings by well-known artist Virendra Kumar

This show will be inaugurated on 5^th November 2024 at 5pm by Honorable Guests Dr. Uttam V. Jain (Patron Hindustan Chamber of Commerce),

Virendra Kumar

Shri. Rajendra Patil(Eminent Artist & Ex Teaching Faculty, Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai), Shri. Mahendra Kalantri(Director Acclaim Systems (I) Pvt. Ltd. ), Shri. Sanjay Nikam (Eminent Artist & Art Curator)

Virendra Kumar is an experimental and versatile Indian Painter who has graduated from Patna Arts and Crafts College, Patna University, India in 1997. Born in Bihiya Village, in Bhojpur District of Bihar, Virendra Kumar had a very happy childhood. His village like all villages in Bihar is very rich in the traditional folk arts. He drew inspiration from watching his mother, aunts and other family member painting and decorating their homes by painting on walls during festivals and weddings.

So Virendra was constantly surrounded by not only vibrant colours, celebrations of festivals with music and dance but was fortunate enough to get maximum encouragement from his own art-loving family. His father too was art oriented and strongly supported his decision to be an artist.

Love for Nature, curiosity, hard work, love and dedication for art are the qualities that motivated Virendraji to follow his creative quest with unusual commitment and passion.

His paintings today are magnificently serene, contemplative in spirit and rich in their depth. One can say that Virendra Kumar's paintings are exquisite creations of pure abstraction. In these paintings, we find an element of mystery and sense of musical rhythm. In other words, these are poetic configurations of abstract forms, all passionately rendered, which emerge like dreamscapes bathed in shimmering or muted hues of overlapping contours of abstract lines and forms, vibrant colours all intricately worked out in richly textured, visual symphony.  

       

Virendra Kumar navigates the spaces with consummate skill. There is a playful yet intense engagement with juxtaposition of forms and colours.

While dealing with spaces, the artist has very brilliantly escaped the constraints of 'traditional composition'. Spontaneity and mystic depths created through multilayered abstract forms, spaces are enlivened by vibrant colours like ultramarine blues, jade greens, ruby reds, topaz yellows, blues and Verdean greens and many more hues. These visuals also carry different space divisions and contours that hint at certain abstracted forms of landscape, city dwellings and many more interesting elements.

A discerning viewer is drawn deeper into these meditative paintings to discover worlds within worlds. These paintings linger on in the viewer's memory and touch the viewer's heart. Apart from family support, Virendra Kumar was also inspired by great masters like Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko. Indian artists like Ram Kumar, Natvar Bhavsar, V.S. Gaitonde too have impressed his painterly mind.

Virendra believes when he says "the artist's space, as blank canvas invites many challenges" He describes how while traveling in a plane he has often discovered the magical optical illusion that takes place when "we look out of the window, at the earth below, the landscape transforms into a maze of tiny dots - he explains.

My Art works are theme based, climate changes, environmental issues and the problematic human impacts to life on earth are all subjects, I creates new paintings, using the abstract expressionistic style to express modern social issues and raise awareness through his art. I am trying to show the beauty of nature in the beautiful valleys of the Himalayas. We see some cities situated in the mountains which look very beautiful but there our nature has also been hurt in some way or the other.

Virendra says "All my works are abstract. To reach this point or peak of abstraction I have to work hard, day and night."

Dividing these spaces or creating different planes for perception, in the available artist's space are handled by Virendra with masterly dexterity and artistic sensitivity. Virendraji's creative process centers around the battle, between chance and control from which his energetic yet meditative paintings are born, this phenomenon happens through a series of spontaneous reactions based on intuition.

Virendra's abstract techniques continuously evolve through extreme experimentation, using custom handmade tools, chemicals and textures.

The end results are magnificent paintings, richly sensuous and sublime at the same time. Virendra Kumar is not only a versatile and prolific painter, he has also organized several artist camps, both in India and abroad. Virendra, is a multidimensional Artist who has worked with many different mediums, such as sculpture, photography and installation art.

Recipient of several national and international awards, his works have been exhibited in both solo and group exhibitions in major Galleries in India, U.K., U.ae., Thailand, Indonesia, Nepal, Uganda, Mauritius, Burma, Kuwait, including Fame Art Gallery in Belgium, Gallery of Light Dubai, Gallery 76 Dubai, Wilesden Gallery in London, Nehru Center Gallery in London and many private collections around the world. Virendra was featured on the Indian television channel DD Bharati, and many television Channels and his work can be found in corporate collections throughout India as well as in private collections worldwide.

Sumati Gangopadhyay 

( Senior Artist and Art Critic )

 M.S. University – Vadodara