Kalicharan Gupta Solo Exhibition

Presented by Art Konsult, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi

Preview – 26th March 2024, 6:00 pm onwards

Curated by – Jyoti A. Kathpalia

Venue: Bikaner House, Kalamkar, (Main building, first floor) Pandara Road, New Delhi

Renowned artist Kalicharan Gupta is set to captivate art enthusiasts with his latest solo exhibition at Bikaner House in New Delhi, presented by Art Konsult and curated by Jyoti A. Kathpalia. Scheduled from March 26th to 31st, 2024, this exhibition promises a unique experience as Gupta unveils his latest creations, showcasing a blend of large and small format works that delve into the realms of lines and colours.

Gupta’s mastery is evident in his mixed-media pieces, which highlight his ongoing exploration and experimentation. His use of symmetries and their absence serves as a focal point, drawing viewers into a world where logarithmic spirals compress scales, offering a glimpse into hidden emotions and moods.

The artist’s focus on the abstraction of light and urban colours mirrors the encroachment of tall buildings and expanding habitation clusters onto green and waste spaces, symbolizing a loss of cultural lebensraum and established identities. Dense masses of colour, interspersed with strokes of varying intensity, create a tapestry of meaning in Gupta’s abstract works, inviting interpretation and reflection.

Through his art, Gupta shares his observations and reflections on urbanization and societal changes, drawing inspiration from his encounters with diverse populations. His works serve as a visual narrative of environmental concerns, prompting viewers to contemplate the impact of urbanization and global warming on our planet.

According to Gupta “In my newer compositions, I have explored new compositions in abstraction. My soul is the guide of my eyes which gives shape to quintessential forms, volumes of straight lines making a conversation with my inner rhythms. Indeed, it is just reciprocal action, the rich shapes discovered by memory and labour are the essence of my imaginative vision.”

This exhibition will show audiences how his abstractions flow through the complicated mazes of the subconscious, and the evocative lanes of memory, and are juxtaposed against contemporary impressions and reality. In numerous of his pieces, he addresses the loss of wide pastures and fields to urbanised, which lends a spiritual nostalgic tone to his works.

The exhibition also includes artworks done during the pandemic period. The angst and uncertainty that characterised this period have been channelled into artistic creativity and catharsis. The paintings graphically represent the emotional and experiential journey during the pandemic and subsequent years. They investigate the intricate emotional patterns of loss and longing.

Kalicharan Gupta’s abstract art crosses boundaries in this exhibition, encouraging viewers to discover their own perceptions and truths inside the infinite domain of abstraction. The solo exhibition at Bikaner House celebrates Gupta’s artistic progression while also inviting people to immerse themselves in the profound world of abstract expression.

About Kalicharan Gupta

Born in 1947 in Punjab (now in Haryana), Kalicharan Gupta is a prolific artist with a rich artistic journey. He studied at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, and the College of Art, Delhi University. With eighteen one-man shows in India and Korea and solo exhibitions in prestigious events like the India Art Fair 2017, Gupta has established himself as a prominent figure in the art world.

Participating in over thirty-five group shows, Gupta’s artistic endeavours extend beyond exhibitions. He has curated India-Korea and Korea-India exhibitions, organized workshops and seminars, and participated in international events like the Kwangju First International Biennale in Korea. Recognized for his contributions, Gupta has received junior and senior fellowships from the Department of Culture, Govt. of India, and won the National Award from Lalit Kala Academy, New Delhi.

Gupta’s works adorn prestigious collections including Lalit Kala Academy, NGMA New Delhi, Govt. Museum Chandigarh, and private collections worldwide. As the Secretary of the Academy of Visual Media, Gupta continues to promote art and photography, leaving a lasting impact on the art community with his imaginative vision and profound expressions.