New Delhi, 18th September 2024; The journey of an artist is to evolve and do what he love to do with creative freedom to create the indestructible and invincible. Keeping the thought in site, Dhoomimal Gallery has presented a 42 day exhibition featuring a series of Installation of Modern and Contemporary Sculptures in Steel. Titled, URBAN THOUGHTS, the exhibition by Vikash Kalra, marks a historic moment in Indian art. For the first time ever, large-scale steel sculptures are on display in India, positioning artist Vikash Kalra, as the fourth artist worldwide to push the boundaries of steel in modern and contemporary art.
The exhibition, curated by Virendra Shekhawat, founder of the Delhi Photography Club, is showcasing a stunning series of eight steel sculptures, ranging from 55 to 120 inches in height. These sculptures are titled Maa, Obverse, Confidence, Grace, Leader, King, Queen, and Ambition, each explore different facets of human experience and emotion.
Maa symbolizes the divine feminine, motherhood, and the nurturing aspects of life, while Obverse reflects the front face of reality, focusing on the dynamics between men and women in relationships. Confidence embodies trust and strong belief in oneself, and Grace represents elegance, poise, and effortless beauty in movement and expression. Leader signifies authority and the legitimacy required for effective leadership, whereas King depicts a male monarch traditionally ruling over a kingdom. Queen draws inspiration from historic figures such as Cleopatra of Egypt and Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, and Ambition reflects a strong desire and determination to achieve something significant, envisioning a better world. These sculptures are a testament to Kalra’s innovative use of steel as a medium for artistic expression.
“Steel offered me a versatile and powerful medium to mould my art,” says Vikash Kalra. “My tribute to steel is a reflection of my journey to create something indestructible and invincible. URBAN THOUGHTS delves into the emotional landscape of modern city life, capturing the inner conflicts and dualities of urban existence, says Vikash Kalra.”
Curator Virendra Shekhawat comments, “Kalra’s work is a profound exploration of the tension between the self and society in urban settings. His use of steel juxtaposes rigidity with organic forms, embodying the dualities of strength and vulnerability. This exhibition is not just about art; it’s about engaging with the emotional impact of urbanization on our psyche.”
Renowned art critic Georgina Maddox adds, “Kalra’s sculptures are a fusion of industrial and aesthetic forms, capturing the essence of modern human experience. His large-scale, angular stainless steel sculptures resonate with raw energy and profound emotion, reflecting on our urban existence with a language that is both contemporary and deeply humane.”
Don’t miss this chance to experience Vikash Kalra’s revolutionary steel sculptures and engage in a deep exploration of urban life and its emotional undercurrents. The exhibition, URBAN THOUGHTS will be on view until October 12, 2024, at the Centre Atrium, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi daily from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.