Art & Deal Magazine

15/06/2024

Discover the Art World with Art&Deal Magazine!

🌟 Unveil Ratnabali Kant’s artistic journey and inspirations.
🌟 Witness the dynamic contributions of Indian artists at the Venice Biennale.
🌟 Celebrate female strength at "Shakti: Fair and Fierce" exhibition curated by Sushma K Bahl.
🌟 Dive into Joana Vasconcelos' mesmerizing installations at MAAT, Lisbon.
🌟 Explore Manal AlDowayan's powerful commentary on social justice and women's rights.
🌟 Bridge cultural divides through Sunanda Khajuria's compelling visual narratives.
🌟 Contemplate the ownership of cultural heritage with a provocative book review on "Whose Ramayana Is It Anyway?

Stay inspired with Art&Deal’s insightful articles, interviews, and reviews. Happy reading!

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Contributors
Ratnabali Kant
Rajesh Punj
Jahel Sanzsalazar
Uma Prakash
Gaurav Kumar
Urmila Banu

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Check our bio and subscribe

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11/06/2024

— Unveiling the enchanting cover of Art&Deal magazine's May-June 2024 edition! Embark on a mesmerizing voyage where creativity transcends all limits. Prepare yourself for an immersive exploration of the latest trends and insights in the art world.

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Contributors
Ratnabali Kant
Rajesh Punj
Jahel Sanzsalazar
Uma Prakash
Gaurav Kumar
Urmila Banu
Saswati Chaudhuri

Cover details: Joana Vasconcelos, I’ll Be Your Mirro, 2019,
© Jonty Wilde, Courtesy: Yorkshire Sculpture Park

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22/05/2024

— How does the physical, mental, emotional as well as cultural environment influence your work? Was there anything especially different with your work experience in the UK and now in India?
Dhruva Mistry: Art reflects the physical, mental, emotional, sociocultural and historical environment, as well as the creative interests, material skills, and spiritual needs of the people. Artistic explorations and manifestations of man in an egalitarian society reflect freedom of expression and creative excellence for a harmonious co-existence of the people. Being born and growing up in semi-rural Gujarat and studying Fine Arts in Vadodara made me realise that caste, class and socio-economic conditions influenced ideas of art and articulation of modernity. Armchair ideals of the elite and culturati affected matters of taste as well as public interests.

-To read more, subscribe to our magazine and read the cover story, Dhruva Mistry In Conversation With Sumati Gangopadhyaya written by Art Critic Sumati Gangopadhyaya

Images: 📸 • Dhruva Mistry in conversation with
Sumati Gangopadhyaya
•Dhruva Mistry, About the Object, Stainless Steel, 1995-97 Courtesy: M K Gallery, Photo: Janie Airey Art Fund 2021
• Dhruva Mistry, Reading Recline, Stainless Steel, 2004-2019 Courtesy: Akara Art, Mumbai

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Contributors
Sumati Gangopadhyay
Rajesh Punj/
Uma Prakash
Gaurav Kumar/
Jahel Sanzsalazar
Clanci Jo Conover
Rahul Dev
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15/05/2024

📚✨ Join us for a celebration of art, culture, and the rich heritage of India! 🎉 On the occasion of International Museum Day, we cordially invite you to the book launch titled GANIKA 📖

Dive into the visual culture of 19th - 20th Century India as we unveil this captivating exploration edited by the esteemed Dr. Seema Bhalla. 🌟

🗓 Date: Saturday, 18th May 2024
🕔 Time: 5:00 pm onwards
📍 Venue: National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy, Bhairon Marg, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi-110001.

Featuring an illustrious lineup of speakers:
🎙 Welcome Address: Sohan Kumar Jha, Senior Director, National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy, Nidhi, Deputy Director, National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy, & Siddhartha Tagore, Gallerist & Publisher
🎙 Opening Remarks: Dr. Seema Bhalla

Come be a part of this momentous occasion as we delve into the captivating world of courtesans and their influence on Indian culture.

"GANIKA" delves into the captivating world of courtesans, exploring their influence on India's art and culture during the 19th and 20th centuries. This book launch promises to be an enlightening experience for all history enthusiasts, art aficionados, and cultural connoisseurs.
Come celebrate Museum Day with us and immerse yourself in the allure of India's vibrant heritage!

Don't miss out on this enriching experience! 🌺

🇮🇳📚

25/04/2024

— Unveiling the captivating cover of Art&Deal magazine's March - April 2024 edition! Dive into a world where creativity knows no bounds.

Get ready for an immersive journey through the latest trends and insights in the art world.

Contributors
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Amit Mukhopadhyay
Sumati Gandopadhyay
Rajesh Punj
Uma Prakash
Gaurav Kumar
Rahul Dev Prasad
Jahel Sanzsalazar
Clancy Jo Conover

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Cover Detail: Hanuman, A special Metaphor, Large, 1989-2024, Photo courtesy: Akara Contemporary, Mumbai l

15/04/2024

— Sculptor KS Radhakrishnan's first-ever inaugural retrospective, titled "On the Open Road," is a momentous artistic pilgrimage that spans five decades of prolific creation. Hosted by /GallerieNvyā at Centre for Contemporary Art, Bikaner House, New Delhi, Curated by renowned art historian Prof. R. Siva Kumar from November 19 to December 14, 2023, has garnered widespread acclaim from both critics and the general audience. Displaying a collection of 130 sculptures dating back to 1975, the exhibition provides a comprehensive overview of Radhakrishnan's artistic evolution. This exhibition not only showcases the iconic Musui and Maiya sculptures but also invites viewers on a profound journey through the artist's evolution, creative exploration, and the expansive landscapes of his imagination. The title of the retrospective, "On the Open Road," goes beyond a literal interpretation. It not only hints at a physical journey but also emphasizes the metaphorical openness and boundless possibilities inherent in Radhakrishnan's artistic odyssey.

-To read more, subscribe to our magazine and read the cover story of A&D -Smiling Bronze on the Open Road: A Conversation with K.S. Radhakrishnan on the occasion of his Retrospective Journey Through 50 Years of Sculptural Excellence written by Art Historian Gaurav Kumar

Images: 📸 • K.S. Radhakrishnan with renowned art historian Prof. R. Siva Kumar
•K.S. Radhakrishnan and Gaurav Kumar during interview session, On the Open Road, Bikaner House, New Delhi, 12th December, 2023, Photo Courtesy: Urmila Banu
•K.S. Radhakrishnan, The Crowd, 2021, Bronze, 72 inches tall (each figure), 50 figures, Photo Courtesy: Ruma Choudhury

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Contributors
Rajesh Punj/
Uma Prakash
Gaurav Kumar/
Apurva Sinha
Shivangi Nathani Devrani /
Sneha Gautam /

14/04/2024

—Each musical instrument was almost like a universal component of human culture. Even in the making of the instruments much of the past was revealed. There is a timeless quality in Indian music that radiates a rare cosmic energy. The magic from the sounds created with musical instruments emanates a lyrical mix of enchanting and mystical qualities that are often played at temples. Marriage ceremonies, fairs and festivals, and other social engagements always vibrate with dance and music accompanied by the playing of various musical instruments.

-To read more, subscribe to our magazine and read the Review of Vādya, Folk & Tribal, and Classical Musical Instruments written by Art Critic Uma Prakash

Images: 📸 •Display view, Vādya, Folk & Tribal, and Classical Musical Instruments

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Contributors
Rajesh Punj/
Uma Prakash
Gaurav Kumar/
Apurva Sinha
Shivangi Nathani Devrani /
Sneha Gautam /
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13/04/2024

— Happy Baishakhi to all readers

The Sikh community developed an interest in the art of painting which can be traced back to the scripture texts. It is interesting to note that during the century Sikhs showed an inclination towards painting as seen in the intricate geometric designs depicted in their scripture manuscripts, which were influenced by Islamic heritage. The origins of Sikh art may be traced back to the Janamsakhis, which primarily existed within this framework for more than a century, except for a few portraits. Janamsakhis are biographical narratives of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. These accounts have been widely popular within the Sikh community throughout history.

-To read more, subscribe to our magazine and read Resplendence of Janamsakhis in Sikh Miniature Art written by Shivangi Nathani Devrani

Images: 📸 •Folio from B40 Janamsakhi, Created: 1733 CE, British Library MS Panj. B 40. Source: Wikimedia Commons

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Contributors
Rajesh Punj/
Uma Prakash
Gaurav Kumar/
Apurva Sinha
Shivangi Nathani Devrani /
Sneha Gautam /
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13/04/2024

Reclaiming Agency: Unveiling the Feminist Narrative of the Courtesan culture
Read here

Shreya Sharma Today, Old Delhi is synonyms to shopping, scrumptious street food and Instagram able shoot locations-hiding it’s rich history of courtesans in plain sight. Throughout the centuries, courtesans have held a significant and often misunderstood place in the social fabric. Specialists in ...

12/04/2024

—As the vibrant hues of temple festivities unfurled, a multitude of devotees found themselves entranced by the kaleidoscope of colours and the symphony of sounds emanating from the garbhagriha as the divine idols were unveiled. Amidst this sacred spectacle, one event shone with unparalleled beauty and fervour: the yajna, or fire sacrifice, blazing at the heart of it all. Towering flames reached towards the heavens, fuelled by generous spoonfuls of ghee, while a chorus of voices echoed Vedic mantras and prayers in harmonious unison. This recent prana pratishtha ceremony at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya ignited a wave of religious fervour across India, with homes illuminated, celebrations ablaze, and hearts brimming with joy as the deity was welcomed with boundless happiness. It underscored a profound truth: the installation of a deity isn't merely a ritual; it's the embodiment of divine presence, a sacred moment where the physical and spiritual realms converge, and the deity graces the temple with eternal sanctity, blessing devotees and sanctifying the sacred space.

-To read more, subscribe to our magazine and read Material to Spiritual:
The Practice of Jirnoddhara in Temples written by Archaeologist Apurva Sinha

Images: 📸 •Sri Naganadhaswamy Temple at Manambadi, Kumbhakonam,Tamil Nadu
Image ©
•Temporary shed at Naganadhaswamy Temple, Manambadi that had the deity installed during renovation work

Don’t miss the issue and grab your copies now.
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Contributors
Rajesh Punj/
Uma Prakash
Gaurav Kumar/
Apurva Sinha
Shivangi Nathani Devrani /
Sneha Gautam /
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08/04/2024

— French sociologist and philosopher Jean Baudrillard coined the phrase ‘everything will become infrastructure bathed in artificial light and energy’, which offers so much to explain the ambitions of Noor Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s festival of light. In a country, a capital, characterised by the warmth of the daylight and the desert, it is a city transformed by the bravura of the night, when the artificial and the ‘man-made’ come to life. A greater that is a distraction from the stars, and that artificiality, of living whilst the light sleeps, is something that literally critic and scholar David Daiches saw as a greater opportunity for ‘man’s exploration of man by artificial light, which is better than natural light because it can be directed as we want it’. Replacing literature with light art, lead curator Jérôme Sans, sees the latest edition of Noor Riyadh’s, as the darkness craving the light, and for this year’s festival, the night is positively nourished by incarnations of artworks igniting the skies the length and breadth of Riyadh, like fireworks celebrating the passing of the daylight for the night.

-To read more, subscribe to our magazine and read Noor Riyadh, November 2023 Jérôme Sans Infrastructures of Light by Artist critic Rajesh Punj

Images: 📸 •Guadalupe Maravilla, Falling Lightning Bolt, 2023, Image courtesy: the artist and HAVAS, Photo © Noor Riyadh
2023, a Riyadh Art Program
•Dana-Fiona Armour, Solenoglyphous C.C., 2023,
Image courtesy: the artist and HAVAS, Photo © Noor Riyadh 2023, a Riyadh Art Program

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Contributors
Rajesh Punj/
Uma Prakash
Gaurav Kumar/
Apurva Sinha
Shivangi Nathani Devrani /
Sneha Gautam /
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03/04/2024

— The installation of the huge chillies in fiberglass, rubber tyres, and cotton fabrics is Kerkar’s tribute to the commodity that has added that extra bite to our food. There is a belief that in the past Indian cuisine used only pepper and other spices in their food. However, after the arrival of a Portuguese caravel in Goa from South America laden with chillies in the early 16th century, this spice became an integral part of the local food preparations.

-To read more, subscribe to our magazine and read Museum of Goa written by Uma Prakash

Images: 📸 Subodh Kerkar, Chillies, Fiberglass and recycled tyres / fabric, 220 cm x 40 cm x 70 cm (each chilly),18 kg (each chilly), 2012 onwards

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Contributors
Rajesh Punj/
Uma Prakash
Gaurav Kumar/
Apurva Sinha
Shivangi Nathani Devrani /
Sneha Gautam /
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24/03/2024

Art Konsult, MATI, and Art&Deal extend warm wishes to everyone for a joyous and colorful Holi celebration!

May this festival of colors bring happiness, prosperity, and harmony to all.

02/03/2024

— Unveiling the captivating cover of Art&Deal magazine's Jan-Feb 2024 edition!

Dive into a world where creativity knows no bounds.

Get ready for an immersive journey through the latest trends and insights in the art world.

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Contributors
Rajesh Punj
Uma Prakash
Gaurav Kumar
Apurva Sinha
Shivangi Nathani Devrani
Sneha Gautam

Don’t miss the issue and grab your copies now.
Check our bio and subscribe

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Cover Detail: Nupur Kundu, Image Courtesy: Shayanak Kundu
Palette Scape Series, Oil on Canvas, 36 x 36 inches, Image Courtesy: Nin Taneja

15/02/2024

—Is the study of Enlightenment important today?

There could be a variety of reasons why the principles and virtues of Enlightenment still hold not only a high place in the study of human civilisation, but it is our obligations to the principles and values of the basic tenets of Enlightenment: Liberte, Egalite and Fraternity. This also includes social justice which is the basic birthrights of every human being. Human struggle against age old religious authoritarianism and fanaticism, religious intolerance , parochialism, racism, sexism, unbridled ambition, and dominance over others along with ecological and environmental catastrophe have compelled us to look back at the Age of Reason to re- examine the possibility of exploring the ushering of a Real Utopia where all the democratic values can be protected and practised . The possibility of such an examination may lead to re-imagine the humanities’ potential and capacity to ‘perfectibility’ of regaining what has been lost in the course of two centuries of unbridled barbarism ( the two world wars and the Holocaust).

-To read more, subscribe to our magazine and read the essay THIRD SPHERE-III by Art Historian Amit Mukhopadhyay

Image: 📸 Women's March to Versailles, 1789

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Contributors
Jyoti A. Kathpalia
Rajesh Punj
Amit Mukhopadhyay
Rahul Dev
Uma Prakash
Gaurav Kumar
Manashri Pai Dukle
Saraswathy K Bhattathiri
Somedutta Mallik

13/02/2024

—The English writer and explorer Wilfred Thesiger in his much admired book Arabian Sands, 1959, saw of the untended desert the simplest way of life, where “a cloud gathers, the rain falls, men live, the cloud disperses without rain, and men and animals die.” A landscape intended for the foolhardy as well as the favoured, as he would later confide in his memoirs, as a “cruel land” that could “cast a spell which no temperate clime can match." And more than half a century on, Thesiger’s untamed terrain has since become the playground for a country less isolated and more involving of everything the Middle East has to offer. With his footprints having long since disappeared from the shifting sands, their historical indentation driven over my convoys of off-road vehicles, that takes a new kind of trailblazer from the serenity of their desert tent to the areas earmarked for land art; the artist having since become the modern polymath, for their taking on the role of pioneer…….


-To read more, subscribe to our magazine and read CASTLES IN THE SAND An Interview with IWONA BLAZWICK by Rajesh Punj

Images: 📸 • Wadi AlFann, AlUla. Courtesy of the Royal Commission for AlUla
•Wadi AlFann, AlUla. Courtesy of the Royal Commission for
AlUla
•Render of Ashab Al-Lal by Ahmed Mater at Wadi AlFann. Visualization by Atelier Monolit. Courtesy of ATHR Gallery
•Render of Ashab Al-Lal by Ahmed Mater at Wadi AlFann.
Visualization by Atelier Monolit. Courtesy of ATHR Gallery

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Contributors
Jyoti A. Kathpalia
Rajesh Punj
Amit Mukhopadhyay
Rahul Dev
Uma Prakash
Gaurav Kumar
Manashri Pai Dukle
Saraswathy K Bhattathiri
Somedutta Mallik

10/02/2024

We express our deep condolences on the demise of eminent artist A. Ramachandran
May God bless his noble soul for divine peace.
Om Shanti 🙏🙏🙏

Achutan Ramachandran Nair, (29th August 1935-10th February 2024) fondly known as A. Ramachandran, graced our world with his extraordinary talent and boundless creativity. Born in 1935 in the picturesque town of Attingal, Kerala, his artistic journey left an indelible mark on the canvas of Indian art.

In recognition of his unparalleled contributions, Ramachandran was elected a Fellow of the Lalit Kala Akademi in 2002, a prestigious honor reflecting his mastery of the craft. His artistic brilliance was further celebrated in 2005 when he was bestowed with the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honors, for his invaluable service to the nation.

The year 2013 brought yet another accolade as Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, conferred upon him an honorary doctorate, a testament to his profound impact on the artistic landscape.

Ramachandran's artistic evolution is a testament to his versatility and unyielding passion. Initially, his expressionist style captured the raw emotions of urban life, reflecting its inherent complexities and struggles. However, his artistic journey took a transformative turn in the 1980s, as he found inspiration in the vibrant ethos of a tribal community in Rajasthan and the timeless allure of Kerala's temple murals.

With each stroke of his brush, Ramachandran breathed life into his canvases, infusing them with a vibrant energy and a rich tapestry of colors. His mastery over lines, colors, and forms created an immersive visual experience, inviting viewers into a world of endless possibilities and profound insights.

Image title & courtesy:
A. Ramachandran (Photo: Ashish Sharma)/ Open magazine

05/02/2024

—A retrospective is an exciting and profound affair for the artist as well as the viewer. It brings to the fore the entire oeuvre of an artist’s work over the entirety of their career. To accumulate and display the work of a prolific and brilliant artist along a singular time and space axis wherein sixty years of art practice comes together in that one panoramic space from which each canvas becomes a visual determinant of a moment in the passage of time, is indeed the remarkable
achievement of the Jatin Das Retrospective: 1963-2023.
Rarely does one witness a retrospective that embodies its truest and most profound meaning. Jatin Das’s retrospective unquestioningly belongs to this remarkable category.
The retrospective exudes glittering insights into the artist’s evolution and his fascination with certain themes, images, and motifs. It also unearths from the deep recesses of memories, as well as the artist’s studio; earlier artworks that were lost or simply forgotten. Jatin Das’s retrospective

To read A CONVERSATION WITH ARTIST JATIN DAS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS
RETROSPECTIVE: 1963-2023, NGMA, NEW DELHI, 8 NOVEMBER 2023 - 7 JANUARY 2024 written by Jyoti A. Kathpalia

-To read more, subscribe to our magazine and read A CONVERSATION WITH ARTIST JATIN DAS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETROSPECTIVE: 1963-2023 written by Jyoti A. Kathpalia

Images: 📸 •Jatin Das with a fan from his Pankha Collection
•Jatin Das, Pointed Figure, Oil on Canvas, 59 x 39 inches, 1976

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Contributors
Jyoti A. Kathpalia
Rajesh Punj
Amit Mukhopadhyay
Rahul Dev
Uma Prakash
Gaurav Kumar
Manashri Pai Dukle
Saraswathy K Bhattathiri
Somedutta Mallik

05/01/2024

Presenting the captivating magazine cover of our latest issue!

Ensure you don't miss out on this edition Visit our bio/website and subscribe!

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Cover Detail: Jatin Das, Soliniki
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Dimensions: 48 x 48 inches
Year: 2007
Photo of Jatin Das by Taher, Bangladesh
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Contributors:
- Jyoti A. Kathpalia
- Rajesh Punj
- Amit Mukhopadhyay
- Rahul Dev
- Uma Prakash
- Gaurav Kumar
- Manashri Pai Dukle
- Saraswathy K Bhattathiri
- Somedutta Mallik

06/12/2023

— Since 2008 Habiart has promoted Art for peace and amity. Along with Bryan Mulvihill, Habiart organised World Tea Party at Travancore House under the leadership of Rekha Mody, to quote her, ‘The initiative aims to gather like -minded people in art as well as create awareness about tea related works of art and artefacts, the history and development all over the world, art of traditional and ceremonious tea making and much more.’ Bryan Mulvihill is known as the Tea
Man across the globe, organised the first tea party in 1993 at the National Gallery of Canada.
Art for Amity’s fourth edition Curated by Isha Mody Patodia, it is aimed at spreading the language of peace and amity through visual art. As a non-verbal communication, the paintings leave a great deal for the viewers to ponder and conclude.
There are over 40 artists showcasing paintings, sculptures, photos and serigraphs.Akbar Padamsee, Akhilesh, Bose Krishnamachari, Dhiraj Chowdhury, Jatin Das, Krishen Khanna, M.F.
Husain, Rameshwar Broota, Robin Mondal, Rini Dhumal, Thota Vaikuntam, Vasundhara Tewari Broota to name a few. Further, from the studio of Triveni Kala Sangam 13 artists would also be using the platform to also display their work……….

-To read more, subscribe to our magazine and read ART FOR AMITY by Curator Isha Mody Patodia/
Images: 📸 M.F. Husain, Shankara, Lithograph on Paper, 22 x 34 inches
Image © Art&Deal

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Contributors
Sumati Gangopadhyay
Gaurav Kumar
Rajesh Punj
Amit Mukhopadhyay
Amrita Mukherjee
Upasana Bhattacharya
Isha Mody Patodia
Saraswathy K Bhattathiri
Uma Prakash
Art&Deal correspondent