Exhibition: Thota Vaikuntam- Redefining the Cultural Gaze

Art Alive Gallery will present a solo exhibition of renowned Indian artist Thota Vaikuntam, titled ‘Redefining the Cultural Gaze’. The exhibition opens on October 17 and will run until November 20. The preview event will also feature the release of Vaikuntam’s recent publication and a documentary film about his work.

The exhibition showcases works from the 1980s to 2024, tracing Vaikuntam’s artistic journey from his beginnings in the village of Burugupalli, Andhra Pradesh, to his status as a prominent figure in contemporary Indian art.

Vaikuntam’s artwork is characterised by vivid portrayals of rural life in Telangana, featuring large, iconic forms that reflect the culture and traditions of his native region. His style draws inspiration from folk art, presenting intimate representations of his subjects while commenting on modernism in the Indian context.

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Dr Ashrafi S Bhagat, in her curatorial text, notes, “The artistic journey of Thota Vaikuntam has been arduous in the realization of his visual language. His works serve as documentary evidence of the people of his village, particularly the women, and are rooted in his empirical experiences”.

Vaikuntam’s art honours the resilience of his community while contributing to a broader understanding of modernism. “The richness of traditional life and culture is at the heart of his works,” Bhagat adds, emphasising that the subjects of his paintings centre on men, women, and children within the context of village life.

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“Drawing is the very essence of his artistic being,” she continues. “Each line in his drawings carries its own moment in time”.

When: October 17 to November 20

Where: Art Alive Gallery,  S-221, Gamal Abdel Nasser Marg, Block S, Panchsheel Park South, New Delhi