Cut Pieces, KP Reji’s first solo art show in 12 years, is just the kind of nudge we need to head to Alibaug for an artsy weekend away from the city
Cut Piece (after Yoko Ono). Copyright: KP Reji and The Guild
In one of the paintings in Cut Pieces, a solo show by Kerala-born, Baroda-based artist KP Reji, the artist paints Yoko Ono as she sat on stage in her 1964 performance similarly titled Cut Piece. What both works of art — the performance and the show — have in common is their commentary on violence. Reji uses everyday views, objects, and cultural connotations to highlight the socio-political underbelly of society, the insanity of violence and the state machinery’s ordering of people’s lives. The views and subjects portrayed are realistic and familiar. This ensures that the paintings are bound by the shared experience of all viewers, and you are able to recognise the overarching themes in your own home (Police in the Kitchen), in our community (Police in the Garden), and world (Police in the Forest).
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Police in the Forest
The show in its entirety is a story where each painting offers value to the narrative, starting with the title that will set the direction of your thoughts. Reji has noticed people coming again bringing with them a new viewing partner for new interpretations. “Most works of art require a re-read or re-visit for the new findings to open up and surprise us,” the artist tells us. Cut Pieces requires the same because the response to “what do you see?” won’t be different, it will be an addition to what you already know from your first viewing. The gallery is in Alibaug; and so you can make a weekend getaway from it, as you stitch the narrative of the show with multiple visits during your stay. Cut Pieces is the first show of The Guild’s silver jubilee year. Director Shalini Sawhney reveals that they’ve lined up a series of exhibitions and the release of new publications on prominent artists associated with the gallery as part of the celebrations.
Police in the Kitchen
Till April 5
At The Guild, Alibaug.
Time 10 am
Log on to guildindia.com
KP Reji
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