Keeping up with Himmat Shah’s 90th Birthday celebration on the 1st of July, Jaipur Centre of Culture and Arts (JCCA) in collaboration with Art Magnum, has come with its highly anticipated exhibition ‘Under the Mask’ by the Living Master, at Bikaner House, New Delhi. This extraordinary showcase has already been opened to the public since the 21st of July, which was followed by a special preview on the 22nd. The exhibition, curated by Jyotirmoy Bhattacharya, embarks on a transformative journey through the introspective and profound works of the artist that are a testament to his enduring Legacy.
The ‹Under the Mask› exhibition presents an extraordinary collection of Himmat Shah›s ‹Pandemic Drawings,› showcasing the artist›s creative response during challenging times that are bound to resonate deeply with audiences. The drawings, created amidst the pandemic, reveal his introspection and exploration of hidden truths beneath the surface. The exhibition also features a selection of new sculptures that embody his evolving artistic vision.
A key highlight is two sculptures of Shah made of Diamond, a captivating creation being unveiled for the first time in India.
Notably, the celebrated photographer Raghu Rai has offered his lens to capture the essence and depth of Himmat’s artistic exploration. Through Rai’s photographs, viewers are invited to experience the profound expressions reflected in the ‘Pandemic Drawings.’ Reflecting on his experience, Rai shares, “Shah’s ‘Pandemic Drawings’ evoke a profound sense of introspection and resilience. It has been an honour to witness his artistic journey and capture the depth of his creations through my lens.”
In words of the art curator Jyotirmoy Bhattacharya, “Pandemic Drawings is a testament to his artistic resilience and his ability to delve into the depths of human emotions. The exhibition offers a unique opportunity to witness the profound expressions of one of India’s living master artists.”
The exhibition has and successfully been brought to Delhi from Jaipur under the efficient supervision of the Directors of JCCA and Art Magnum. The exhibition will remain open to the public from the 21st to the 24th of July 2023 at Bikaner House, New Delhi. Following that, the exhibition will continue at Art Magnum, New Delhi from the 28th of July to the 14th of August 2023. The full show will continue at the Jaipur Centre of Culture and Arts till 31st of October 2023, in Jaipur.
The event is all set to witness the presence of numerous acclaimed artists, including Jogen Chowdhary, RM Palaniappan, Indrapramit Roy, Chandra Bhattacharya, Sameer Aich, Vasundhara Tiwari Bruta, Chhatrapati Datta, Atin Basak, Lalit Kala Akademi President Laxman Vyas, art critic Prayag Shukla, and Padmashree awardee S Shakir Ali, among others.
