Haku Shah, Mother and Child, 2009, 55 x 33 in, Oil on Canvas (left) | Haku Shah, Untitled, 2002, 36 x 36 inches, Oil on Canvas (right)
Subcontinent in Mumbai is a new art gallery dedicated to exploring South Asia’s imprint on visual and material culture across time and space. Located in Mumbai’s historic Fort district, a cultural nerve center, the gallery is committed to fostering dialogue, discovery and deep engagement with South Asian art.
In a defining move, Subcontinent announces its representation of The Estate of Haku Shah, reaffirming its commitment to bringing forth histories and legacies that complete the story of South Asian art.
Founded by Dhwani Gudka and Keshav Mahendru, Subcontinent, at its core, is a space of inquiry where historical narratives intersect with contemporary practice. Subcontinent believes in focusing on including artists and legacies that course correct and complete the larger narrative of South Asian art history. Their specialization lies in the ability to identify the aesthetic and historical contributions of said artists, combined with a well-shaped muscle for research and an eye for the wonderful and magical.
Haku Shah, Untitled, 55 x 32.5 in, Oil on Canvas (left) | Haku Shah, Humne, 2003, 55 x 33 in, Oil on Canvas(right)
Through thoughtfully curated exhibitions and outreach, Subcontinent aims to be a platform for exploring and shaping the artistic identities of the region. Beyond exhibitions, the gallery envisions itself as a place for people — for bringing together artists, scholars, collectors and cultural practitioners to engage in critical and timely dialogue.
Inaugural Exhibition: Ya Ghat Bheetar / Rediscovering Form
To celebrate this moment, Subcontinent opens its doors with its inaugural exhibition, Ya Ghat Bheetar / Rediscovering Form, a presentation of works by modernist artist-thinker Haku Shah. Curated by Jesal Thacker, the exhibition runs from March 13 to April 30, 2025, at its first permanent space in Fort, Mumbai, and offers a deep exploration of Shah’s seven-decade-long artistic practice
This exhibition presents a critical re-examination of Haku Shah’s artistic practice, showcasing a selection of his works that explore the triadic synthesis of mati (earth), ghat (vessel), and shakti (feminine energy), highlighting his deep engagement with craft traditions and ecological symbolism.
Haku Shah, Untitled, 1996/1999 Oil on Canvas, 55 x 33 in
“At Subcontinent, we are deeply committed to bringing forth the vision and legacy of Haku Shah as a modernist artist-thinker. We are working closely with The Estate to build a nuanced appreciation of his practice and contributions within the art community and in the general public”, says Keshav Mahendru, founder of Subcontinent.
“Haku Shah not only depicted these terra forms in his paintings but also documented the processes of potters and craftspeople, integrating the act of creating, archiving, and collecting into his artistic vision. The exhibition demonstrates how his approach transcended rigid modernist frameworks, bringing forth an understanding of art as a confluence of lived experience and cultural continuity," says Jesal Thacker
Words Platform Desk
Date 26.03.2025