17th March 2009 – 1st August 2009
The Frank Cohen Collection is delighted to present Passage to India Part II at Initial Access. Following the huge success of Passage to India Part I which showcased new Indian art from the Frank Cohen Collection in March 2008, Passage to India Part II is the sixth exhibition at Initial Access and will feature a further selection of new, exciting and innovative painting and sculpture by today’s Indian art stars.
Asia’s art scene has come to the fore in the past five years, driven by the continent’s rapid growth and emerging talent. Contemporary art from India is now undoubtedly the focus of more interest in the West than ever before, providing a platform for the most important sculptors and painters who have become a prominent force in the international contemporary art world.
Always ahead of the trends in the contemporary art market, Frank Cohen has been among the first to show works from India in the UK. These artists have come to the world’s attention for their provocative work which combines an understanding of the western canon of art but retains its cultural origins – a contemporary extension of the past that remains so vital to the themes and concepts in the work.
The artists in the show have emerged as leading lights in the contemporary art scene. Subodh Gupta consciously plays on clichéd images of everyday life in India and is best known for his sculptures made from accumulations of everyday objects. T.V. Santhosh’s subject matter deals with violence and injustice. His paintings are a comment on inequality, famine, terrorism and war. Jitish Kallat’s work incorporates modern technology and popular essentials with profound subject matters and often autobiographical elements. Jagannath Panda reconciles many of humanity’s most fundamental contradictions through his paintings and sculptures while Reena Saini Kallat’s work often brings the intimate imagery and objects associated with the human body into the expanse of the public and political arena. Belonging to a new generation of young Indian artists. Also featured in this show are Thukral and Tagra.
