Altered realities
VOGUE India|September - October 2023
A soothing colour palette and floating figures lend a certain whimsicality to Arpita Singh’s paintings, but their perceived vibrancy is loaded with meaning, finds RADHIKA TYENGAR
Altered realities

For a considerable period of time in her career, Arpita Singh did not have a dedicated studio space. "At the time," she says, "there was hardly any place to work". It was only when her daughter left for school and her husband stepped out that she would wield her brush with sweeping strokes and paint for "long hours until they returned". So perhaps it makes sense that the first thing the celebrated contemporary artist describes when I speak to her is her studio space, which holds ample natural light and a handful of her vivid artworks. It is where she goes every day to paint-a ritual that begins at nine in the morning and carries on till early afternoon.

Over six decades, the 86-year-old has built an oeuvre that continues to bewitch viewers. Singh's paintings often have a surreal, fever-dream quality to them. The kind that appear otherworldly, yet resonate with the viewer on a deeper consciousness and seem eerily familiar. Take, for instance, If You Only Let Me (2022) from the Meeting series which was displayed at Frieze, No.9 Cork Street by Vadehra Art Gallery in June, marking the artist's first solo exhibition in London. In the painting, across disjointed patches of emerald green, are empty park benches and solitary black figures that seem distorted as though they have been deliberately scratched out.

Denne historien er fra September - October 2023-utgaven av VOGUE India.

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 September - October 2023-utgaven av VOGUE India.

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 VOGUE INDIASe alt
Current affairs
VOGUE India

Current affairs

Elif Shafak’s work abounds with references, memories and a deep love of Istanbul. She talks to AANCHAL MALHOTRA about the significance of home and those who shape our recollections of the past

time-read
3 mins  |
September - October 2024
A drop of nostalgia
VOGUE India

A drop of nostalgia

A whiff of Chanel N°5 L'Eau acts as a memory portal for TARINI SOOD, reminding her of the constant tussle between who we are and who we hope to become

time-read
3 mins  |
September - October 2024
Wild thing's
VOGUE India

Wild thing's

Zebras hold emerald-cut diamonds, panthers morph into ring-bracelets that move and a turtle escapes to become a brooch -Cartier's high jewellery collection Nature Sauvage is a playground of the animal kingdom.

time-read
2 mins  |
September - October 2024
Preity please
VOGUE India

Preity please

Two surprise red-carpet appearances and a movie announcement have everyone obsessing over Preity Zinta. The star behind the aughties’ biggest hits talks film wardrobe favourites, social media and keeping it real.

time-read
5 mins  |
September - October 2024
Honeymoon travels
VOGUE India

Honeymoon travels

Destination locked, visas acquired, bookings madewhat could stand between a newly-wed couple and pure, unadulterated conjugal bliss in some distant, romantic land? A lot, finds JYOTI KUMARI. Styled by LONGHCHENTI HANSO LONGCHAR

time-read
8 mins  |
September - October 2024
La La Land
VOGUE India

La La Land

They complete each other’s sentences, make music together and get lost on the streets of Paris—this is the love story of Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth.

time-read
6 mins  |
September - October 2024
A SHORE THING
VOGUE India

A SHORE THING

Annalea Barreto and Mavrick Cardoz eschewed the big fat Goan wedding for a DIY, intimate, seaside affair that was true to their individual selves.

time-read
5 mins  |
September - October 2024
7 pheras around the buffet
VOGUE India

7 pheras around the buffet

Celebrating the only real love affair each wedding season: me and a feast.

time-read
3 mins  |
September - October 2024
Saving AI do
VOGUE India

Saving AI do

From getting ChatGPT to plan your wedding itinerary to designing your moodboard on Midjourneytech is officially third-wheeling the big fat Indian wedding

time-read
4 mins  |
September - October 2024
Love bomb me, please
VOGUE India

Love bomb me, please

Between breadcrumbing, cushioning and situationships, the language of romance seems to be lost in translation. SAACHI GUPTA asks, where has the passion gone?

time-read
4 mins  |
September - October 2024