Delhi
Celebrating Himmat’s 90s:
Through the lens of Raghu Rai & Under the Mask:
Pandemic Drawings by Himat Shah
21st July – 14th August, 2023
As Himmat Shah steps into his nineties, the deconstruction and construction of his creative pilgrimage remain remarkably, constant. All the mundane and the ordinary that we lay our eyes upon, are transformed and disseminated into an absolutely new thinking through his innovative, artistic forays. His sculptures bring to life the essence of ancient Indian philosophies. Not just sculptures but through all the paintings, prints and murals of this legendary artist, such philosophies are perfectly reflected. Such is his minimalistic approach that it has lent a new vision altogether, to Indian sculpture.
A singularly inimitable artist, his relentless journey for a magnificent and unique thought process fascinates us. His journey is still on. Even the pandemic could not thwart this quest for his creative goals.. The lack of clay could not defeat him, he picked up his paints and brushes and painted a three dimensional figurine. His “Under the Mask” series of drawings is a seamless weaving of countless thoughts and feelings where the two become a harmonious whole. Even if one were to look at a single painting of this series, the reflections and thoughts of the entirety is reflected therein. Through that collective collage, it is, as if, we can feel a huge, overpowering, formless presence.
This effervescent, ever active artist’s mesmerising journey has been captured exquisitely by his long-time friend and legendary Indian photographer, Raghu Rai. We can observe clearly, both his life and artistic travels from these photographs. The myriad emotions that are evoked by Shah’s creative outbursts, hence become obvious to us in this voyage through Raghu Rai’s lens.
