Inshallah, embroidery on fly swatters, drew a lot of curious visitors. Pakistani artist Cyra Ali expanded the definition of art with her fabric, polyester filling and wire Sculptures- Specimen (Ed of 6) of shapely legs entwined together and stitched to cloth pieces. According to the artist, her work engages the patriarchal notions of trying to tame a woman and the act of repressing her sexuality. Some unconventional works by Pakistani artists Adeela Suleman and Rubi Chishti were well received at the fair. Adeela Suleiman’s Falling Down Under, 2012, steel and iron sculpture, where autobiographical elements are interwoven with symbols in her bas-relief. Chishti, in her evocative piece titled Whole (Reinforced readymade coat, mixed-media on paper, 2012, Vadhera Gallery), debates the notions of permanence and change in society. She says in her artist statement, “I have my own history with this substance ‘fabric’, my work is rooted in common feminine craft and it is the fusion of instinct, ability and profound life experiences.” Galerie Daniel Besseiche exhibited the works of up and coming Paris based Indian artist Shhiv Singh. His artwork and installations enthralled a number of visitors to the booth. In a striking departure that seemed to both challenge and renew the definition of art, The Samdani Art Foundation from Bangladesh exhibited works by artists Tayeba Begum Lipi, Ayesha Sultana, Mohammad Wahiduzzaman. In addition to one of the commissioned art projects at the fair by Mahbubur Rahman entitled Replacement, which incorporated leather used from army boots, cow hide, wood, iron and car accessories. My Daughter’s Cot, a baby crib made of stainless steel razor blades, by Tayeba Begum Lipi, drew in a lot of curious onlookers. The Speakers Forum this year had a very strong line-up of art experts from around the world. Some top speakers included: Chus Martinez (Chief Curator, El Museo del Barrio, New York City), Akiko Miki (Senior curator, Palais de Tokyo, Paris), Amin Jaffer (International Director of Asian Art, Christie’s), Barbara London (Curator, Video and Performance Art, MoMA, New York), and Robert Storr (Dean, Yale School of Art). “The focus of the art fair, given the present
business environment particularly in the art sector, is on developing new audiences, and initiating new energy in the Indian art market,” said Neha Kirpal, Founding Director of India Art Fair. Christie’s was the auction house partner for India Art Fair 2013. India Art Fair 2013 was indeed a testimony to India’s growing clout in the international arts arena. Missed this fair? Don’t worry, book your tickets to
New Delhi for next year. The India Art Fair is back with a bang in 2014. In the meantime, check out Art Basel to be held in Hong Kong from May 23 to 26.
For more information, please visit: www.indiaartfair.in. Images courtesy participating galleries.
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