FEATURES ARCHIVE

Christie’s South Asian Modern + Contemporary Art auction will feature works of leading 20th and 21st century artists from India and Pakistan, juxtaposing tradition with a contemporary edge, and encouraging the viewer to leave behind preconceived notions.

SUNIL GAWDE
Pared down to energetic, essential forms, Butterfly depicts the artist's concentration on geometry and reflexivity. Utilising hard-edged mirror, the artist here dissects the grander scheme of Nature, reconfiguring a scientific butterfly specimen in bold contemporary detail, whilst similarly hinting at aspects of mortality and fragility.

SHEZAD DAWOOD
A successful multi-media artist born in London, Shezad Dawood studied at both the Central Saint Martin’s School of Art and the Royal College of Art. Exploring broader issues of religion, culture and ethnicity, here the artist unites seemingly disparate elements: marrying tradition and religion with an overtly secular, neon sign.

SUBODH GUPTA
This semi-globed constellation by celebrated artist Subodh Gupta transforms hundreds of stainless steel tongs or ‘chimta’ (a common Indian kitchen staple used for handling chapatti and naan bread) into a metallic explosion of wonder. Gupta stirs questions about the dramatic changes and shifts that accompany India’s economic strengthening and its effect on the country’s deeply spiritual and ancient culture.

RASHID RANA
According to Rana, the Dis-location series, addresses the relationship between conventional two-dimensional image-making and time-based arts. While the 'pixel' or still images demonstrate the hustle of contemporary Lahore's busy street-life, the whole image retains an old-fashioned charm conveying the look of a historical photograph, which in turn provides the viewer with a disorienting sense of another time and place.