MUMBAI.- AstaGuru will present the next edition of its ‘Present Future’ Contemporary Art Auction with 125 works by leading and famous contemporary artists. The finely curated catalogue features creations by Anish Kapoor, Subodh Gupta, Bharti Kher, Atul Dodiya, Jitish Kallat, Ravinder Reddy, Nataraj Sharma, Thukral & Tagra, Valay Shende, Sudhir Patwardhan, Sudarshan Shetty, Suryakant Lokhande, Ranbir Singh Kaleka, Surendran Nair, Bose Krishnamachari, N.S. Harsha, Jagannath Panda, Mithu Sen, Baiju Parthan, Chittrovanu Mazumdar, L. N Tallur, T.V. Santhosh, among others. The auction is scheduled on February 15-16, 2023.

Talking about the upcoming auction, Ankita Talreja, AVP, AstaGuru Auction House, says, “We are thrilled to present this stunning selection of works by artists who are redefining the narrative of Indian art in present times. Drawn from their private histories and cultural traditions, these experiential works are both personal and universal. They reflect the diversity of the contemporary Indian art sphere not only in terms of subject matter but also styles and techniques employed. Additionally, the unconventional approach to materials by these artists is aesthetically innovative and has resulted in a dynamic artistic landscape of contemporary art in India.”

Leading the auction is a fascinating work by artist Raqib Shaw, also featured on the catalogue cover. Titled "Fall of the Jade Kingdom II - Paradise Lost II, lot no. 90, belongs to Shaw’s ambitious Paradise Lost series and was executed in 2014 with oil, acrylic, glitter, enamel and rhinestones on birchwood. Paintings from the Paradise Lost series, as the presented lot, are inspired by the artist’s multifarious influences, ranging from mythology and religion to poetry, literature, art history, textiles and decorative arts from both eastern and western traditions. It will be offered with an estimate of INR 1,50,00,000 – 2,00,00,000.

Four works by Subodh Gupta will also be showcased. Lot no. 69 is a vibrant example of the artist’s recognisable signature style works executed with commonplace household utensils. Titled “Pink (Ed: 3),” the work is a cascade of steel tongs, popularly known as ‘Chimta’ in India. With a hue of vibrant pink, the work emanates a sense of power and joy. Exhibited in the artist’s solo exhibition, ‘Still, Steal, Steel,’ at Jack Shainman Gallery, New York, it will be offered for INR 1,26,00,000 – 1,68,00,000. Lot no 48, titled 'Imperial Chair’ was executed in 2002 with steel alloy and is accompanied by a foot stool made of bronze. First exhibited in a seminal solo exhibition titled ‘Sat Samundar Paar’ at Nature Morte Gallery in Delhi, it will be offered for INR 50,40,000 – 67,20,000. Lot no. 100 titled “TBD” is another of his creations in the same medium and will be offered with an estimate of INR 55,00,000 – 65,00,000. Lot no. 115, a painting titled ‘Lady with cat,’ from an early phase of his career, will be offered at INR 15,00,000 – 20,00,000.

Lot no. 77 is yet another beautiful rendition of artist Bharti Kher’s famous motif. Executed on an aluminium composite panel in 2006, the intricate large-scale work speaks volumes about her deft control over the meticulous placement of small-sized bindis all over the surface. It will be offered with an estimate of INR 60,00,000 – 80,00,000.




The auction will also present several other large-scale creations. Lot no. 53, titled ‘Temple Interior,’ is an oil on canvas painting by Nataraj Sharma, and offered at INR 25,00,000 – 30,00,000. Executed with a unique visual code that adds new connotations to already familiar imagery, the grand work is dramatic, broody, quiescent, and defiant, all at the same time. Lot no. 95 by artist T.V Santhosh is titled ‘A Stone Throw Away III,’ and is expected to be acquired at INR 10,00,000 – 15,00,000. This work was showcased in an exhibition titled ‘India Xianzai' at The Museum of Contemporary Art, Shanghai, China, in July 2009.

Three works by senior artist Sudhir Patwardhan are also on offer. One of these, lot no. 114, a colourful acrylic on canvas creation recalls his preoccupation with documenting urban life with its people. The untitled work executed in 2018 is expected to be acquired at INR 15,00,000 – 20,00,000.

The selection also presents three works in different mediums by Atul Dodiya. Lot no. 111, is a quirky and humorous work titled ‘Anarkali and Seventy Two Idiots,’ which features portraits of many revered Indian artists with doodled moustaches, bindis, moles, and other ludic additions. This work will be offered with an estimate of INR 15,00,000 – 20,00,000. Lot no. 122, is eponymous with his name Atul. Executed with oil on canvas and depicting a train station signboard, it showcases artists' recurring use of contemporary culture motifs. This work is expected to be acquired at INR 15,00,000 – 20,00,000.

The auction will also showcase five beautiful works by Shahabuddin Ahmed, known for his paintings that symbolise the pain, power, joy, freedom of movement, and indomitable spirit of humans in the face of odds. One of these, lot no. 85, was showcased at the artist’s solo exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Indian Arts, Mumbai, in 2007. It will be offered with an estimate of INR 8,00,000 – 10,00,000.

Titled ‘Deontology - Arrival Of The Knowledge Self,’ lot no. 64, is an acrylic on canvas work by Baiju Parthan, who has established a unique bricolage of art informed by his diverse scholastic influences. This work, executed in 2007, is one of the six works by artists to be featured. It will be offered with an estimate of INR 8,00,000 – 10,00,000.

The auction line-up is also bedecked with several extraordinary sculptural creations. It includes a grand work by British-Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor, who is world-renowned for his sculptures and installations. The untitled work, lot no. 125, was executed with resin and paint in 2007, and is expected to be acquired at INR 67,20,000 – 84,00,000.

Lot no. 59 by Ravinder Reddy is one of his signature style head sculptures with a massive head, sharp penetrating eye, and golden skin. It will be offered for INR 40,00,000 – 50,00,000. Three works by L.N Tallur will also be auctioned. Lot no. 6 titled “Milled History” is a sandstone sculpture in a classical style. It will be offered at INR 20,00,000 – 25,00,000. Lot no. 105, ‘Chromatophobia’ is two granite sculptures & nailed coins presented with a wood log. Executed in 2010 and exhibited at the ‘Sculpture Park’ at Madhavendra Palace, Nahargarh Fort, in Jaipur, Rajasthan, this work is offered at the estimate of INR 25,00,000 – 30,00,000. Another hallmark creation of an artist’s recurrent medium, lot no. 108, is a sculpture by artist Valay Shende. Executed with lacquer on stainless steel discs will be offered with an estimate of INR 15,00,000 – 20,00,000. Two more works by him in similar mediums will also be presented.