MUMBAI.- AstaGuru will present the next edition of its ‘Present Future’ Contemporary Art Auction with an eclectic assortment of artworks by leading contemporary artists, including Anish Kapoor, Bharti Kher, Atul Dodiya, Jitish Kallat, Nataraj Sharma, Valay Shende, Suryakant Lokhande, Ranbir Singh Kaleka, Surendran Nair, Bose Krishnamachari, N.S. Harsha, Jagannath Panda, Mithu Sen, Baiju Parthan, Chittrovanu Mazumdar, T.V. Santhosh, Jayashree Chakravarty, Sheila Makhijani, G R Iranna, Mrinalini Mukherjee, Sudhir Patwardhan, among others. The finely curated catalogue with over 100 works in diverse styles, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, and mixed media art, perfectly represents the prevalent art trends and gives an insight into the future of contemporary art. The auction is scheduled for September 23-24, 2023.
Talking about the upcoming auction, Ankita Talreja, AVP, Client Relations, AstaGuru Auction House, says: “We are delighted to showcase this remarkable collection of works by leading artists who are reshaping the narrative of Indian art in the modern era. Rooted in their individual histories and cultural backgrounds, these experiential creations possess a unique blend of personal and universal elements. They mirror the rich diversity of contemporary Indian art, not only in terms of subject matter but also through the array of styles and techniques employed. Furthermore, these artists' unconventional use of materials adds an innovative aesthetic dimension to the evolving landscape of contemporary art in India. These experimentative practices have steadily sparked significant interest among collectors who are consistently looking to diversify their art collections.”
Among the highlights of the auction are three works by internationally renowned artist Anish Kapoor. Lot no. 31 belongs to the notable series of mirror-esque stainless steel discs, which he began creating in the late 1990s. It is estimated to be sold at a value of INR 3,32,00,000 – 4,98,00,000. Lot no. 59 titled ‘Mountain,’ is a part of this prolific series featuring several different mountains he has created. Executed using acrylic on fibreboard in 1996, it is an extraordinary display of Kapoor’s artistic skills and his interest in playing with dimension and perspective. It is offered with an estimate of INR 1,00,00,000 –1,30,00,000. Lot no. 111, is an untitled work executed in 2012, using fibreglass and paint. It is an exceptional example of Kapoor’s vividly coloured, hollow, bowl-like structures, executed in the shape of a hemisphere that alters form as you walk closer and around it. It is estimated to be sold at INR 3,32,00,000 – 4,98,00,000.
Lot no. 73 titled ‘Seeing Some Things Better,’ is a signature style bindi creation by senior artist Bharti Kher. In this work, bindis arranged meticulously in vibrant chromatic constellations swarm across the surface, creating a multi-layered visual effect. It is estimated to be acquired at INR 40,00,000 – 50,00,000.
Three signature style works by artist Valay Shende will also be offered. These works, depicting wildlife through life-size sculptures, are executed in bold colours and metallic hues. Lot no. 22, created with stainless steel discs & plated fibreglass in 2022, is estimated to be sold at INR 15,00,000 – 20,00,000. Lot no. 100, a beautiful rendition of a peacock, is estimated to be acquired at INR 30,00,000 – 40,00,000.
Lot no. 8, a large-scale work by artist Jitish Kallat titled ‘Frozen Footnotes – 1’ is estimated to be acquired at INR 17,00,000 – 20,00,000. Two more works by the artist are also offered in the auction.
Lot no. 15 by artist Atul Dodiya belongs to his creations centred around Mahatma Gandhi, for which he first gained recognition during the 1990s. Since then, he has produced an extensive array of intricate paintings and works in other mediums focused on Gandhi, offering a fresh interpretation with each rendition. This work titled ‘Gau-Raksha’ meeting was executed in 1998 with watercolour on paper and is offered with an estimate of INR 15,00,000 – 20,00,000.
Two works by artist Nalini Malani will also be showcased. Lot no. 52, titled ‘Quietly Flows The River,’ is a captivating creation from her ‘Living in Alicetime’ series, which delves into the multifaceted relationship between women and their environments, using Lewis Carroll’s iconic character Alice as the central protagonist. This work is offered with an estimate of INR 15,00,000 – 20,00,000. Lot no. 88, is another of Malani’s creations titled ‘First Romance.’ Executed with oil on canvas in 1981, it is estimated to be sold at INR 15,00,000 – 20,00,000.
Lot no. 44 and lot no. 109 are two sculptures from Mrinalini Mukherjee’s seminal ‘Natural History’ series. Executed with bronze, each of these works is offered with an estimate of INR 8,00,000 – 10,00,000.
A colossal work by artist Baiju Parthan, spanning 24 feet is also among the auction highlights. Titled ‘Gargoyle River,’ the sprawling tetraptych with four panels presents distinctive scenes, each infused with profound mythic implications and historical references. This work is estimated to be sold at INR 30,00,000 – 40,00,000.
Lot no. 95, is a work by artist Nataraj Sharma. Titled ‘Sama Talav,’ the large-scale work scaling six feet depicts Lake Sama in the city of Vadodara, where the artist resides. Executed in 2023 with acrylic on canvas, it is offered with an estimate of INR 30,00,000 – 35,00,000.
Lot no. 106 is a beautiful rendition of Lord Krishna playing the flute by artist Suryakant Lokhande. Executed in his distinctive style and preferred medium of high gloss oil on canvas, the large-scale painting reaching five feet, exudes an aura of vivacity and draws the viewers to Krishna’s musical enchantment. It is estimated to be sold at INR 8,00,000 – 12,00,000.
The auction will present works by several other artists, including Lakshman Rao Kotturu, Shibu Natesan, Mousumi Biswas, Phaneendra Nath Chaturvedi, Vasundhra Tewari Broota, Milburn Cherian, Nikhil Chaganlal, Dhananjay Singh, Hema Upadhyay, Schandra Singh, Gigi Scaria, Anjum Singh, Gieve Patel, A. Balasubramanian, Raqib Shaw, among others.
