Ark Foundation

This May Day, here is NS Harsha’s take on the impoverishment farmers had to face under colonial rule, being forced to plant cash crops like indigo instead of essentials like paddy.

Here’s to the workforce worldwide, in solidarity.

[ , May Day, International Workers Day ]

“When God first made animals, he made them all alike”

Visual Arts students from Parul University engaged with ‘Of Ogres, Beasts and Men’ as well as with KG Subramanyan’s exploration of themes and language, and how!

The students were introduced to various ideas explored in KG’s writing and works, and given prompts to respond to in order to create their own artworks in collage. Visually inspired by the children’s books KG wrote and illustrated, this was an exercise in exploring material and technique - an approach to experiment with pictorial presentation and narrative storytelling.

There was sharp art analysis, fervent debate, and copious amounts of glue- all to say, it was days well spent!

“In this hope this story is told over and over”

What: ‘Of Ogres, Beasts, and Men’ : An exhibition of KG Subramniyan’s works
Where: Ark Foundation for the Arts, GIDC, Vadodara
When: Monday to Friday 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Taftish: An Inquiry into…

Tracing the connection between KG Subramanyan and Kalighat Paintings

Characterised by bright colours and bold outlines, Kalighat paintings evolved as a unique art practice near the Kalighat Temple in 19th century Kolkata, though the exact time period is contested. The humour, satirical approach to current events, and the depiction of mythologies typify Kalighat paintings. They functioned not only as a way to chronicle, perform, preserve and pass on mythological stories, but also as a way to document the current socio-economic and political state of erstwhile Kolkata.

Pattachitra is a term for traditional, cloth-based scroll paintings intricately depicting mythological figures and folktales. Originating from undivided Bengal and Odisha areas, Pattachitra is a narrative art form that is said to have been inspired from the temple murals abundant in the region, and was often used as a visual aid during song performances.

It comes as no surprise then, that KG Subramanyan, prolific artist and educator who spent his formative years studying at Santiniketan in West Bengal would draw from these art traditions as part of his long and varied repertoire of references and learning. Be it in the fluidity and divinity of Durga, or the tongue-in-cheek depictions of Babu and Bibi caught in a private moment, one can see KG make a deliberate acknowledgement, a reference, in his choice of style and subject.

When Rahim Chittrakar, a Pattachitra artist with ancestry in the art tradition visited us at Ark, it was an incredible experience to hear about his inheritance and practice of the Pattachitra tradition, and his stories of visiting KG Subramanyan as a child in KG’s Kolkata home.

‘Of Ogres, Beasts, and Men’ is on display for free till the 30th of April. Come (re)discover the distinctive, inimitable style of KG Subramanyan’s art!

Where: Ark Foundation for the Arts, GIDC, Vadodara
When: Monday to Friday 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Taftish: An Inquiry into…

Tracing the connection between KG Subramaniyan and Kalighat Paintings

Characterised by bright colours and bold outlines, Kalighat paintings evolved as a unique art practice near the Kalighat Temple in 19th century Kolkata, though the exact time period is contested. The humour, satirical approach to current events, and the depiction of mythologies typify Kalighat paintings. They functioned not only as a way to chronicle, perform, preserve and pass on mythological stories, but also as a way to document the current socio-economic and political state of erstwhile Kolkata.

Pattachitra is a term for traditional, cloth-based scroll paintings intricately depicting mythological figures and folktales. Originating from undivided Bengal and Odisha areas, Pattachitra is a narrative art form that is said to have been inspired from the temple murals abundant in the region, and was often used as a visual aid during song performances.

It comes as no surprise then, that KG Subramaniyan, prolific artist and educator who spent his formative years studying at Santiniketan in West Bengal would draw from these art traditions as part of his long and varied repertoire of references and learning. Be it in the fluidity and divinity of Durga, or the tongue-in-cheek depictions of Babu and Bibi caught in a private moment, one can see KG make a deliberate acknowledgement, a reference, in his choice of style and subject.

When Rahim Chittrakar, a Pattachitra artist with ancestry in the art tradition visited us at Ark, it was an incredible experience to hear about his inheritance and practice of the Pattachitra tradition, and his stories of visiting KG Subramaniyan as a child in KG’s Kolkata home.

‘Of Ogres, Beasts, and Men’ is on display for free till the 30th of April. Come (re)discover the distinctive, inimitable style of KG Subramaniyan’s art!

Where: Ark Foundation for the Arts, GIDC, Vadodara
When: Monday to Friday 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Have you seen ‘Of Ogres Beasts and Men’ yet!?

Curated by , this exhibition is a labour of love in remembrance of the inimitable K.G. Subramaniyan in honour of his 100th birth anniversary. Discover his spirit, staunch values, distinctive art style, and indeed his ever-present humour, reflected in each and every work on display, chosen from the Ark Collection.

The exhibition is on view and open to all till the 30th of April. Come visit and talk to us about Mani-da and his work, we would love to have you!

Where: Ark Foundation for the Arts, GIDC, Vadodara
When: Monday to Friday 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM

The generosity of archiving… thrilled and likewise humbled at

OF OGRES BEASTS AND MEN, an exhibition of selected artworks by K. G. Subramanyam, from the Ark Collection, will be on view till 30th April, 2024 at ARK Vadodara.

K. G. Subramanyan (1924–2016), or Mani Sir as I knew him, observed the world with the curiosity and humility of a scientist. For him, ‘all the world was a stage’, indeed, and his artworks depict the world he inhabited with no less theatrical flair than The Bard himself. Evident in paintings often overrun with narratives, color palettes that seem decidedly unfettered, and compositions divided into linear planes to resemble progressive or concurrent scenes; or perhaps a set behind the proscenium. The subject of his theater represents a shrewd pastiche of the human experience – that is, the ceremony of tradition, the fantasy of myth, the sanctity of gods, the piety of the temple, and the truth of the grotesque.

His triumph, however, lies in the levity with which he reflects all aspects of it; beauty and terror. Albeit often subversive, the overarching layer of humor makes his practice immediately accessible but likewise invites multiple conversations over time.
— Nupur Dalmia

Today, we celebrate the incredible life of artist Jyotsna Bhatt. Her passion for clay and dedication to her practice have left an indelible mark on the world of ceramics. Within her artistic practice, she developed a powerful repertoire that deliberates on visually rich forms inspired by nature. Her artistic vision drew inspiration from time-honored ceramic traditions that were elegantly buffeted with modernity - particularly evidently in her cutting edge technique; preference for neat and confident forms; fascination with matte finish glazes, and an altogether unique aesthetic language that is immediately compelling and widely appealing.

On Jyotsnaben’s birthday, as she was lovingly called, we remember her legacy that lives through the countless individuals and students who have been inspired by her and her work. Her impact on the art community continues to inspire future generations of ceramic artists to push boundaries and explore the limitless possibilities of their chosen medium.

In loving remembrance and gratitude, on her birth anniversary.
Announcement and information for the 4th edition of the annual Jyotsna Bhatt Ceramics Award is forthcoming.
Image Courtesy: Jyoti Bhatt

🥁🥁🥁

We’re so excited to announce that the 2024 Asia Arts Vanguard Award will be presented to Jogen Chowdhury ()!

This award recognises senior visual artists who have pioneered contemporary art with their practices and have been educators, scholars or mentors to other artists, influencing generations of young practitioners and students of visual culture in India. Chowdhury’s work marries contemporary art to a Bengali influence; his practice has been thematically diverse and influential in Indian contemporary art. Chowdhury interprets the human form through the x-ray vision of his creativity: attenuated, exaggerated, fragmented, reconfigured, and rephrased. For him, the body has to communicate in silence. Often placing his figures against a vacant background, he does not appropriate the specificity of place or environment; instead, he transfers feelings of anguish on to his figures through gestural mark-making.

We are grateful to the Ark Foundation for the Arts () for supporting this award and for their continued support in spotlighting exemplary art practices from South Asia.

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Stay tuned for our upcoming !

DEADLINE EXTENDED!

The application deadline for the Jyotsna Bhatt Ceramics Award 2022 has been extended by another 10 days. The last date to send in your applications is now April 20, 2022.

For eligibility criteria, application guidelines and other details, follow the link in our bio. Or write to us at [email protected]

What plans for Saturday evening?

Come visit Parsec, curated by . The exhibition celebrates our transition from Gallery Ark to Ark Foundation and features the works of 19 artists who have been an intrinsic part of this journey.

is on view until May 31, 2022.
Gallery hours: 11:00 AM - 07:00 PM daily (except Sundays and national holidays)

We were delighted to have Jyoti Bhatt, Kristine Michael, Nupur Dalmia and Vasudevan Akkitham as the jury for the first edition of the Jyotsna Bhatt Ceramics Award. Their expertise and unique perspectives have contributed as valuable inputs to the final selection. We thank them for their constant support through the process.

Get to know : Shampa Shah

Shampa Shah’s practice as a ceramic artist is located in the dialogue between the traditional and the modern, complimenting her work as a writer and curator. Her lyrical works draw deeply from nature—she is best known for her ‘Transformation’ series of sculptures, fusing plant and animal forms.

With the grant from the Jyotsna Bhatt Ceramics Award, Shampa will build on a project that weaves three strands that are critical to her practice—clay as medium of contemporary expression; as embodiment of an unbroken ancient tradition and as the possible carrier of its own stories.

She intends to work on a manuscript that focuses on the myths related to clay and pottery with a brief introduction to that specific region, peculiarities of its clay traditions and a life sketch of a few signature master potter's of that region.

Additionally, she plans to develop artworks in clay inspired from the clay narratives and explore the ways in which one can improve upon the potential of locally available materials.

We look forward to witnessing and sharing Shampa’s process through her journey with this project!

We are thrilled to announce that Shampa Shah is the recipient of the Jyotsna Bhatt Ceramics Award 2021. Our warmest congratulations to Shampa

The applications for the Award were evaluated by Jyoti Bhatt, Kristine Michael, Nupur Dalmia and Vasudevan Akkitham. We would like to thank them for their constant support throughout the process.

Jyotsna Bhatt Ceramics Award has been set up to honour the legacy of Jyotsna Bhatt by celebrating compelling art practices in the medium of ceramics. The award has been established by Gallery Ark with generous support from Rubamin Foundation.