The 60th Venice Art Biennale, titled “Stranieri Ovunque—Foreigners Everywhere,” is a landmark event fostering dialogue and exchange about the concept of “foreignness.” This year’s Biennale features a strong Indian presence, showcasing both modern masters and contemporary voices.
A Legacy of Artistic Excellence
The Biennale’s Historical Nucleus, located at the Giardini della Biennale, honors India’s artistic heritage with works by pioneering abstractionists like Ram Kumar and SH Raza. FN Souza, the iconoclastic Bombay progressive, and Bhupen Khakhar, known for his surrealist works, are also represented. These masters are joined by Jamini Roy, a modernist with primitivist influences, and the prolific painters Amrita Sher-Gil and B Prabha.
The Power of the Collective
The contemporary section spotlights the Bengaluru-based, all-women art collective Aravani Art Project. Their powerful mural featuring cis and transgender women embodies the Biennale’s theme of inclusivity and identity. This representation is a significant moment, showcasing the depth and vibrancy of Venice Art Biennale- Indian art.
A Record-Breaking Year for Indian Artists
While India lacks a national pavilion at the Biennale this year, the international exhibition at Venice Art Biennale features a record-breaking 12 Indian artists. This quadrupled presence speaks volumes about the growing recognition of Indian contemporary art on the world stage. Over the years, Indian artists like Paresh Maity and Sonal Ambani, along with patrons like Kiran Nadar, have left a lasting impression on the Biennale.
Exploring New Frontiers: Cosmic Garden
The Salone Verde at Venice Art Biennale —Art & Social Club presents a Collateral Event by two of India’s national award-winning artists, Manu and Madhvi Parekh. Their exhibition, Cosmic Garden, showcases a stunning range of works and their evolution into a collaborative, interdisciplinary medium of hand embroidery. Presented through the works of master textile artists of the Chanakya School of Craft, Cosmic Garden celebrates the intersection of art and craft, highlighting embroidery as both a meditative art form and a social and artistic practice. This carefully curated series explores the relationship between women and traditional handcraft techniques, bringing this art form into the public sphere.
Remembering a Modernist Master: The Rooted Nomad
The Kiran Nadar Museum of Art presents a tribute to M.F. Husain, often called “India’s Picasso,” at the Magazzini del Sale in Dorsoduro. The Rooted Nomad is a part-exhibition, part-immersive experience that reaffirms Husain’s enduring impact on the art scene. Curated by the museum’s director, Roobina Karode, the exhibition blends intimate viewing with a kaleidoscopic display, highlighting Husain’s artistic journey, prolific works, and interdisciplinary approach. The immersive component utilizes motion graphics, live action, choreography, and sound design to bring Husain’s works to life. The title, “The Rooted Nomad,” reflects the artist’s complex persona and his contributions to modern art, drawing inspiration from mythologies, art traditions, and literature. This exhibition aligns perfectly with the Biennale’s theme of diaspora and displacement, celebrating Husain’s legacy and India’s cultural richness.
Contemplating Balance: Genesis by Paresh Maity
Genesis, a bronze sculpture by Paresh Maity, is featured in the Personal Structures exhibition at the Marinaressa Gardens. Maity envisions Genesis as a representation of the universe’s origin, evolution, and the importance of societal balance. The geometric form visualizes different universal energies, while the pendulum symbolizes the balance stemming from unity and harmony. Maity explains that Genesis explores the concepts of life and balance in a constantly evolving world, where all boundaries dissolve to create a united space for growth. He sees a connection to the Biennale’s theme of identity, highlighting the challenges of displaced identities in a globalized world. Genesis serves as a metaphor for achieving balance through unity.
Slings & Arrows of Outrageous Fortune by Sonal Ambani
Sonal Ambani’s sculpture, Slings & Arrows of Outrageous Fortune, tackles the issue of gender pay gap at the Venice Biennale. This bold statement piece is part of the Personal Structures exhibition. The artist’s installation features a powerful stainless steel bull adorned with major world currencies, charging towards a circular target. The bull symbolizes patriarchal structures, while the red arrows represent efforts to challenge these systemic biases. The target signifies the goal of achieving gender equality. Sonal Ambani explains that the sculpture is a commentary on societal issues and a call to action for viewers to reflect on their role in perpetuating or challenging gender norms.
