Disruption is the mantra of the current times. A potent, positive force that can break conventions, catalyse changes and accelerate movements, disruption is not always a negative word. Creative Disruptionists – The Home Coming , an exhibition of Fine Art and sculptures by Indian Modern and Contemporary artists celebrates the spirit of disruption that births ideas that are ‘undeniably bold, innovative and new.’
What to expect
The four-day exhibition at ITC Maurya’s Kamal Mahal, displays works of artists from the Bombay Progressive Group like S.H. Raza, M.F. Husain, F.N. Souza, Ram Kumar among others, who with their distinct styles had disrupted the old order and evolved a new, dynamic, modern style that eventually became the backbone of Modern Indian Art. Other Modern Artists whose works feature at the exhibition are Thota Vaikuntam, Manu Parekh, Akbar Padamsee, Sakti Burman, Laxma Goud, Lalu Prasad Shaw, Manjit Bawa, K.G. Subramanyan, K.M. Adimoolam, Himmat Shah and Jogen Chowdhury.
The show also marks the homecoming of Krishen Khanna, a veteran whose paintings adorn the famous dome at the lobby in ITC Maurya. Made between 1980-1984, the mural, The Great Procession, is inspired by the Mauryan Empire (after which the hotel takes its name) and the contemporary India of the 1980s, and is as relevant today as it was then. The show has been curated by Vandana Haksar and Avantika Haksar Chopra in partnership with T&T Motors. While Vandana has been working in the art space for almost two decades, Avantika is a lawyer who set up Art Aesthete, a company that curates, commissions, sources and sells art.
WelcomArt Initiative
For decades ITC Hotels have been supporting art appreciation through art camps and exhibitions. WelcomArt initiative is a platform run by the group for budding artists, which helps showcase their work at various hotels of the chain. The exhibitions, meanwhile, showcase both established and upcoming talents. As an extension of the support, the 4-day exhibition promises to bring to the capital over 100 pieces of paintings and sculpture in various forms and genres.
“ITC’s hotels were the first to perceive the significance and impact of contemporary art in independent India.” says Dipak Haksar , Chief Executive, ITC Hotels and WelcomHotels. It started with ITC Maurya, New Delhi, which is a repertoire of traditional, contemporary, and modern art with works of M.F Husain donning the windows of its lobby and murals of Krishen Khanna adorning its legendary dome. “The ITC Maurya collection, says Haksar, is representative of the chain’s efforts in promoting authentic indigenous art; both contemporary and inspired by folk and tribal traditions.”
Celebrating disruption
Expect to see abstract works, figurative paintings and sculptures by leading names like Sujata Bajaj, K.M. Adimoolam, Ram Kumar, S. Harsh Vardhana and modernists like Krishen Khanna, Akbar Padamsee, Jogen Chowdhury, K.G. Subramanyan, Jagannath Panda, Subodh Gupta and Surendran Nair.
Creative Disruptionists – The Home Coming will be open for public viewing at ITC Maurya, Diplomatic Enclave, 11-14 March, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Anubhuti Krishna
