To Feel Pristine Contemporary

To Feel, a group exhibition by Gallery Pristine features eight contemporary artists from across South Asia. The exhibition showcases the work of Fabienne Francotte, Riyas Komu, Ayesha Dalvi, Dasha Buben, Mahnoor Salman Khan, Rifat Ara Mim, Siya Singh, and Varad Bang—artists whose diverse practices come together to explore the rich landscape of emotion, identity, and cultural reflection. These artists, through their distinctive styles, respond to the complexities of the human experience, inviting the audience into a deep contemplation of what it means to feel in today’s world.

Pristine Contemporary, co-founded by Arjun Sawhney and Arjun Butani, continues to shape the contemporary art scene in India, offering a platform for fresh voices in South Asian art. To Feel underscores this mission by presenting a broad spectrum of artistic visions, each work pulsating with raw emotion, unspoken narratives, and a deep sensitivity to both personal and collective histories.

The works in this exhibition draw viewers into varying realms of expression. Fabienne Francotte’s art presents a visceral portrayal of the human condition, with bold, expressive strokes that mirror the unpredictable ebb and flow of life. Meanwhile, Riyas Komu’s contemplative pieces engage with spiritual and emotional vulnerability, reflecting on a world shaped by conflict and uncertainty. In contrast, Ayesha Dalvi employs a minimalist aesthetic, distilling her thoughts and feelings into clean, refined compositions that speak to introspection and inner peace.

Dasha Buben’s abstract works tackle mental health head-on, using vivid colours and dynamic forms to explore personal and universal struggles. Mahnoor Salman Khan, with her intricate blending of miniature art traditions and contemporary storytelling, creates dreamlike landscapes that blur the boundary between reality and fantasy. Rifat Ara Mim captures attention with her use of thick, vibrant strokes of colour, evoking a striking balance between boldness and fragility, while Siya Singh's work titled ‘Jack’, offers a deeply personal exploration of femininity and identity, challenging societal norms and expectations. Varad Bang reimagines classical Renaissance nudes through a modern lens, creating art that both pays homage to tradition and engages with contemporary discourse on beauty and the human form.

“We are susceptible to twenty eight different forms of feeling that have a profound impact on us, both emotionally as well as physically. Our energies, our facial muscles and expressions, our body language, all change as we go through the spectrum of these feelings, for ever more. This spectacular show visualises through the minds of these eight talented artists, capturing intricately what it means to be human and to feel intensely. Emotion is a deeply interesting and variable phenomenon, and this showcase attempts to capture that through interpretations of these global artists,” the Directors, Arjun Sawhney and Arjun Butani comment on the universal truth of human emotion. 

The exhibition highlights each artist’s journey and fosters a collective conversation on the emotions and experiences that bind humanity across cultures and borders. Via To Feel, Pristine Contemporary reaffirms its commitment to showcasing cutting-edge, thought-provoking art that resonates personally and globally. By fostering a platform for diverse voices, the gallery continues to bridge the gap between traditional and contemporary art, ensuring that the evolving South Asian artistic landscape remains vibrant and inclusive.

The carefully curated show that brings together a unique blend of perspectives and creative expressions from eight artists will run from October 16th to 21st, 2024, at the prestigious Bikaner House in New Delhi.