Delhi Contemporary Art Week 2024: A Vibrant Showcase of South Asian Creativity

The Delhi Contemporary Art Week (DCAW) is set to return for its 7th edition, bringing together some of the most compelling voices in contemporary South Asian art. Taking place from August 31st to September 4th, 2024, at Bikaner House in New Delhi, DCAW promises to be a dynamic and thought-provoking event that highlights the diversity, creativity, and resilience of contemporary art from the region.

This year's DCAW features six leading Delhi-based galleries—Blueprint12, Exhibit 320, Gallery Espace, Latitude 28, Shrine Empire, and Vadehra Art Gallery—each bringing their unique curatorial vision to the event. As in previous years, the event is designed to spark conversations about contemporary issues and foster a deeper appreciation for the rich artistic landscape of South Asia.

A Platform for Artistic Exchange

DCAW was born out of a desire to create a platform that amplifies the voices of creative artists and celebrates works that reflect contemporary times through a multitude of themes and techniques. The event has grown into a significant fixture on the South Asian art calendar, attracting a diverse audience of art enthusiasts, collectors, and critics from across the globe.

This year, DCAW will open with a special event co-hosted by Art Mumbai, featuring a public walkthrough led by Teesta Bhandare, Associate Director of Art Mumbai, and curator Girish Shahane. This initiative underscores DCAW's commitment to fostering artistic exchange and collaboration across the region.

Thematic Exhibitions: "Threads That Bare" and "A Bold Step Sideways"

In addition to the gallery showcases, DCAW 2024 will feature two thematic exhibitions: "Threads That Bare" and "A Bold Step Sideways."

"Threads That Bare" brings together textile artists from across India whose practices explore the myriad possibilities of fiber and yarn as art mediums. This exhibition aims to present how Indian textiles, steeped in rich tradition, have transcended their conventional roles to become powerful mediums of expression. The show features a dynamic interplay of fabric, thread, and texture, with artists reinterpreting traditional textile techniques—such as weaving, embroidery, Zardosi, and Kantha—infusing them with modern sensibilities to address themes of identity, memory, and socio-political discourse.

Participating artists in "Threads That Bare" include Geeta Khandelwal, Udita Upadhyaya, Sumakshi Singh, Sunaina Bhalla, Puneet Kaushik, Khadim Ali, Veena Advani, Viraj Khanna, Anoli Perera, Natasha Das, Anita Dube, Osman Yousefzada, Pranati Panda, and Ruby Chishti.

"A Bold Step Sideways," curated by Girish Shahane, explores how contemporary artists are sidestepping traditional notions of art and history. This exhibition showcases works that traverse styles and mediums, embracing a generation of artists unencumbered by the anxieties of influence. The artworks reflect personal histories and community narratives, revealing how social media performativity has elevated the autobiographical, making personal and political identities central to contemporary discourse.

Gallery Highlights and Gallerist Insights

The six participating galleries each bring their own unique strengths to DCAW, contributing to a diverse and enriching experience for visitors. Below are some of the highlights and insights from the gallerists themselves.

Blueprint12 will be exhibiting works by artists such as Divyesh Undaviya, Meghana Gavireddygari, Zoya Chaudhary, Aravani Art Project, and Anila Govindappa. Ridhi Bhalla and Mandira Lamba, partners at Blueprint12, emphasize the gallery's commitment to showcasing evocative creations that redefine tradition and ignite conversations. They state:

Exploring the rich tapestry of emotions, cultures, and narratives, contemporary South Asian art transcends borders, connecting the world through its vibrant colours and thought-provoking expressions.

Exhibit 320 focuses on contemporary art from India and the subcontinent, with a particular emphasis on new media and its potential for creative exploration. This year's lineup includes works by Deena Pindoria, Deepak Kumar, Jayati Kaushik, Kaushik Saha, Kumaresan Selvaraj, and others. Rasika Kajaria, Director of Exhibit 320, highlights the gallery's dedication to discovering and encouraging new talent:

Our curated selection this year features a diverse array of pieces that showcase the unique perspectives of emerging artists. By exploring new media, these artists are unlocking endless possibilities through the use of unconventional materials such as textiles, found objects, and elements from the earth.

Gallery Espace will present a varied collection of paintings, drawings, and sculptures by leading artists across generations and mediums. A highlight is a drawing installation by Soma Surovi Jannat from Dhaka, Bangladesh, titled "Time without Birth and Death." Renu Modi, Founder-Director of Gallery Espace, sees DCAW as an opportunity to reach a broader audience:

This year, Gallery Espace celebrates its 35th anniversary, and our presentation at DCAW will give a glimpse of the depth of our programming—with fresh works by Rashmimala, Ravi Agarwal, and Tanmoy Samanta alongside senior artist Amit Ambalal.

Latitude 28 continues its mission to illuminate emerging artists from the Global South. The gallery's presentation at DCAW will include works by artists such as Ankush Safaya, Harman Taneja, Shalina Vichitra, and others. Bhavna Kakar, Founder-Director of Latitude 28, emphasizes the importance of DCAW as a platform for knowledge sharing and art education:

DCAW aims to create accessible platforms for knowledge sharing and art education, inviting a wider audience beyond art students and across all age groups to engage with contemporary art.

Shrine Empire will showcase works by artists such as Hema Shironi, Natasha Das, Amitava Das, Anoli Perera, Arun Dev, and others. The gallery's co-founders, Shefali Somani and Anahita Taneja, highlight the tactile nature of the works on display:

This year we bring forward an exhibition curated by Girish Shahane and a separate exhibition focusing on artists who work with textile. Shrine Empire will also be highlighting artists working with textile within their section as well and other artists who work with different media and material to create their works, making it a more tactile experience within their space.

Vadehra Art Gallery will feature an ensemble of South Asian artists practicing within the subcontinent and beyond, including Anita Dube, Anju Dodiya, Atul Bhalla, Faiza Butt, and others. Roshini Vadehra, Director of Vadehra Art Gallery, expresses excitement about returning to DCAW:

We are happy to return with our participation in Delhi Contemporary Art Week. Across its six editions, DCAW has managed to further the rising talents and ideas of contemporary and emerging artists. I always look forward to the exciting week-long curations that come together under a common space for seasoned and new collectors from the capital and across the country.

A Must-Attend Event for Art Enthusiasts

With its diverse lineup of galleries, thematic exhibitions, and a commitment to fostering artistic exchange, Delhi Contemporary Art Week 2024 promises to be a must-attend event for anyone interested in contemporary South Asian art. Whether you are an avid collector, a curious newcomer, or simply someone looking to experience the vibrant energy of the region's art scene, DCAW offers something for everyone.