Shilpa Gupta opens at Antwerp’s M HKA

Source The Hindu by Georgina Maddox
Now the M HKA (Museum of Contemporary Art, Antwerp) is showcasing her first mid-career survey exhibition, titled Today Will End. The exhibition looks at the evolution of her work over the last two decades, foregrounding the speculative nature of her practice as well as the depth of her critical engagement with psychology, behaviour, politics and language. It is curated by Nav Haq, the associate director of the museum, who has been following Gupta’s practice. “Ten years ago, Nav did my first UK institutional solo at the Arnolfini in Bristol. Later, when he curated the Göteborg International Biennial, he had shown the outdoor light work WheredoIendandyoubegin, on which he had titled his show,” says Gupta, who is busy setting up the show remotely from Mumbai, exchanging floor plans and photographs with the museum.
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How artist Avinash Karn uses Madhubani art to initiate dialogue on communal and caste divides in India

Source Firstpost by Shailaja Tripathi
Mithila painting was once the domain of upper-caste artists. Over time, quite a few Dalit women artists also took to it and incorporated themes relevant to their lives. Dulaari Devi who belongs to the mallah community, was awarded the Padma Shri earlier this year. However, it is still not very usual for muslim women to learn Mithila painting. This makes this initiative compelling. “There are challenges for these girls to learn painting. It is not easy. One of them told me that the neighbours criticised when they took a painting home. I believe there are certain restrictions associated with painting but their parents are so supportive. That’s why I admire their guts, passion and commitment. The art form of Mithila needs such diverse perspectives,” states Karn. Apart from five muslim girls, two girls from the Hindu community — Premlata and Hemlata — are also part of the project.
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