The Power of the WRITTEN WORD
Art Soul Life|May - July 2022
Pushpamala N's latest solo show comprises two distinct sets of works based on the common thread of scripts which seem contrary in nature; one is like shasanas: a practice associated with power and the other with resistance, says Saraswathy K Bhattathiri
The Power of the WRITTEN WORD

One of the most thought-provoking artists in the contemporary art scene, Bengaluru-based Pushpamala N, who exhibits widely in India and abroad, works with various mediums like performance, photos, sculpture, curation and writing. In her latest solo show titled 'Epigraphica Indica' at Gallery Sumukha, Bengaluru, from March 12 - April 16, 2022, she displayed how the written word wields its power in everyday life. Two sets of exhibits were part of the show - 'Atlas of Rare and Lost Alphabets (2015-2018)' and 'Nara/slogans (2020-2022). The former is a set of 100 installations, which was inspired by a vitrine containing ancient inscriptions incised on copper plates while on her visit to the archeological museum of Bengaluru.

The act of transcribing the letters is articulated as a performative act reminiscent of scribes copying manuscripts in mediaeval libraries. She brings in references of anthropologist James C Scott' s terminology and ideas on Hidden Transcripts, which is connected to mysterious languages of resistance and cultural preservation contextual in time. Nara is a set of 50 works that commemorates slogans and poems of recent popular protests in India. These are designed in various styles like that of Russian posters, books, dialogue boxes and graph pages using various typographies. In both the series, words and images are etched into copper plates and treated with brown and greenish patinas.

Denne historien er fra May - July 2022-utgaven av Art Soul Life.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra May - July 2022-utgaven av Art Soul Life.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA ART SOUL LIFESe alt
Gone too soon
Art Soul Life

Gone too soon

The passing of A. Ramachandran and Gogi Saroj Pal has created a void that can never be filled.

time-read
3 mins  |
May - June - July - 2024
TRANSCENDING BOUNDARIES
Art Soul Life

TRANSCENDING BOUNDARIES

Display of 60 artworks by neurodiverse artists at National Museum in New Delhi

time-read
2 mins  |
May - June - July - 2024
Symbols of NATURE
Art Soul Life

Symbols of NATURE

Ramchandra Pokale's solo show in Jehangir was different traditional scenic depictions.

time-read
1 min  |
May - June - July - 2024
BETWEEN DREAMS AND ILLUSIONS
Art Soul Life

BETWEEN DREAMS AND ILLUSIONS

Poonam Bhatnagar's debut solo show featured several series, including Mythos and Vriksha

time-read
1 min  |
May - June - July - 2024
FINAL SHOW OF THE CHAOS TRILOGY III
Art Soul Life

FINAL SHOW OF THE CHAOS TRILOGY III

The group show, Out of Here, That's My Goal, is currently on display at The Guild in Mumbai

time-read
2 mins  |
May - June - July - 2024
ALIGNING Paths of Eight Artists
Art Soul Life

ALIGNING Paths of Eight Artists

Ashtkala, an ode to liberated expression and imaginative vitality, showcased artworks with vivid hues.

time-read
2 mins  |
May - June - July - 2024
Celebrating Subtlety
Art Soul Life

Celebrating Subtlety

Sudhir V. Phadnes unveiled his solo show, VISION, at Jehangir Gallery in Mumbai.

time-read
2 mins  |
May - June - July - 2024
ENGINEERING THE ARTISTIC VISION
Art Soul Life

ENGINEERING THE ARTISTIC VISION

Parvathi Nayar's latest art installation at Dakshinachitra Museum in Chennai seamlessly blends nature with technology.

time-read
2 mins  |
May - June - July - 2024
LINES, LANDSCAPES AND LUCID TOUCH
Art Soul Life

LINES, LANDSCAPES AND LUCID TOUCH

Vivek Nimbolkar's art effortlessly mingles geometry and nature creating a sharp focus

time-read
3 mins  |
May - June - July - 2024
CASTING PHAD IN NEW MOULD
Art Soul Life

CASTING PHAD IN NEW MOULD

Veering from tradition to carve his own style, Pradip Mukherjee, one of the most famous Phad artists, has won accolades and awards in India and abroad. Subhra Mazumdar celves into the life and art of the acclaimed artist.

time-read
7 mins  |
May - June - July - 2024