Ideas Of India 3.0: Subodh Gupta Recalls How His 1999 Cowdung Artwork Installation Got A Japanese Gallery Interested
Globally celebrated artist Subodh Gupta graced the session titled 'Inside the Mind of a Genius: Memories of My Home' at ABP Ideas Of India Summit.
New Delhi: 'Ideas Of India Summit', a series of ABP Network events, has entered its third edition with Day 1 of the insightful summit kickstarting today on February 23. The two-day conclave to be held today and tomorrow on February 24 will feature prominent figures from several fields. Globally celebrated artist Subodh Gupta graced the session titled 'Inside the Mind of a Genius: Memories of My Home' moderated by ABP News reporter Dibang.
Subodh Gupta is a renowned contemporary Indian artist known for his works predominantly in sculpture, installation, and mixed media. Born in 1964 in Khagaul, Bihar, India, Gupta grew up in a rural setting, an experience that deeply influences his art.
Gupta's artistic vocabulary often revolves around everyday objects and materials, particularly those associated with Indian domestic and street life, such as stainless steel kitchen utensils, tiffin lunch boxes, bicycles, and milk pails. He combines these objects in large-scale installations that explore themes of migration, globalization, consumer culture, and the rapid transformation of Indian society.
One of his most iconic works is "Very Hungry God" (2006), a monumental skull sculpture made from stainless steel kitchen utensils, which reflects on the paradoxes of abundance and deprivation in contemporary India. Gupta's use of everyday objects not only creates a sense of familiarity but also carries symbolic weight, inviting viewers to contemplate the deeper meanings embedded within his creations.
Talking about the unique concept of showcasing art pieces at a shopping mall in Paris, Subodh Gupta said, "Art thrives at every place in France. It is one place where art flows in people's blood veins. I got the opportunity to exhibit my work over there after being in talks with the organisation for five years."
The renowned artist also about the commercialisation of art and the responsibilty of an artist towards the society. Subodh Gupta also credited his wife Bharti for taking his art work to international level.
Subodh narrated an incident from 1997 where his installation made of cow dung at an art workshop became a turning point in his career. "Artists from a Japanese museum were also attending the workshop. They saw my installation and asked the reason behind using a unique material like cow dung for my piece of work. I explained to them the importance of cow dung and its multiple uses in Indian households. I was then invited to Japan and I worked their for six months but later on the government did not approve of the material, and the project ended."
Speaking about his work, Subodh said that his childhood and his surroundings reflect in his art pieces.
Throughout his career, Gupta has exhibited widely both in India and internationally, gaining recognition for his thought-provoking and visually striking artworks. He has participated in major art events such as the Venice Biennale and Documenta, further solidifying his position as one of India's most prominent contemporary artists.
Gupta's work transcends cultural boundaries, engaging audiences globally while maintaining a distinctively Indian perspective. His ability to blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary themes has earned him critical acclaim and established him as a leading figure in the contemporary art world.
Ideas Of India Summit
The 'Ideas Of India Summit', scheduled for February 23 and 24, serves as a pivotal platform for comprehensive deliberations on 'The People's Agenda' in the lead-up to significant elections in the world's largest democracy. Renowned luminaries representing diverse sectors will convene to delve into the multifaceted dimensions of India's socio-political landscape, reflecting the ethos of ABP Network's flagship initiative to foster nuanced discourse on Indian society and governance.
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