Irish art curator's exhibition to showcase change through various art forms

Mata Ni Pachedi by Sanjay Chitara

Change is constant and universal. And Irish art curator, Arthur Duff recognises it very well as he and fellow curator Harsh Bhavsar put together a platform that showcases change through the lens of various different artists. An upcoming show is titled Roopantar - Transformation and it aims to document the concept of change through various art forms including resin, mosaic and paintings.

Playmates by Amit Ambalal

Duff explains that the title of the show is the very definition of what the visitor can hope to find. "In every art tradition, we use a variety of processes and materials for different purposes but the phaseof transition is common to all. It [art work] keeps transforming until you reach the final leg. The show is a celebration of how change is at the centre of every creative process," he says.

Gorse Weaponry by Sasha Sykes. Pics courtesy/47-A gallery and Baro Market

The main focus of the exhibition, Mata Ni Pachedi, is a series of paintings created by artist Sanjay Chitara. The Irish curator sees Chitara's art as the very basis of transformation as it signifies the change in the form temples take. Summing up the idea behind it, he says, "Mata Ni Pachedi - the cloth of the goddess - is a sacred artistic textile piece with paintings of goddesses, which was used as a tent to create a temporary temple. This was done in ancient times by the tribal community members who weren't allowed in actual temples."

Harsh Bhavsar and Arthur Duff

While the work of every artist at the exhibition is distinct, it is connected by more than just a theme. Duff reveals that while Irish artist Sasha Sykes' resin art is about transforming flowers into weapons, it can be perceived as the modernised weapons of Indian goddesses seen in Mata Ni Pachedi. "The act of viewing itself is a type of transformation. These artworks give a certain meaning when viewed individually. But they will have a completely new narrative when viewed alongside each other," he signs off.

On: January 21 onwards; 11 am to 7 pm, except Mondays
At: 47-A: Design Gallery, 47-A Khotachiwadi, Girgaum.