Fantasy worlds depicted in art have captivated people's imaginations for centuries. From the mythical creatures of ancient Greek and Roman art to the fantastical landscapes of the Middle Ages, artists have always sought to bring otherworldly realms to life with vibrant colours, intricate details, and imaginative subject matter. The depiction of fantasy worlds in contemporary Indian art has become a popular theme, and artists have captured the essence of Indian culture while incorporating imaginative elements to create unique and visually stunning works. In a blend of traditional motifs and designs with modern imagery, contemporary Indian artists have executed several fantastical words that have fascinated audiences with the depiction of realms beyond everyday reality. In its upcoming ‘Present Future’ Contemporary Art Auction, AstaGuru will present several brilliant examples of surreal worlds that provide a unique visual experience. Here are some of them.

Lot no. 90: Fall of the Jade Kingdom II - Paradise Lost II by Raqib Shaw

A fascinating work by artist Raqib Shaw, it is also featured on the catalogue cover. Titled "Fall of the Jade Kingdom II - Paradise Lost II, the work 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.

Lot no. 8 Circus Of His Idle Majesty (Ed : 1/3) by Ranbir Singh Kaleka

The presented lot is by artist Ranbir Singh Kaleka, well-known for his large-scale, multi-layered paintings, which often feature complex compositions that incorporate elements from both Eastern and Western traditions. His works often depict human figures and animals, rendered in a style that is both dream-like and surreal. His thought-provoking and visually rich works also delve into themes of identity, spirituality, and cultural hybridity. In many of his works, Kaleka invites the viewer to enter into a dialogue with the subject, to reflect on their own experiences and emotions. This work was executed with archival ink & oil on canvas in 2020.

Lot no. 19: Untitled by Thukral & Tagra

The above-presented work is by the artist duo Thukral and Tagra, who have worked collaboratively with a wide range of media, including painting, sculpture, installations, interactive games, video, performance and design. Their work explores the current issues in urban India and the fascination with consumerism. Characterised by vibrant imagery and exuberant colours, they are known for creating highly immersive and interactive environments meant to push the boundaries of art, creating new formats of public engagement. Executed with Oil on metal, this work was showcased in Thukral & Tagra's solo exhibition titled ‘Nosturistic,’ held at Hilger Contemporary, Vienna, in 2012.

Lot no. 44 Untitled by Jagannath Panda

The presented work by artist Jagannath Panda is a brilliant example of his exploration of animal images and forms. A juncture where animals as an extension of humans stand in suffering and contention with the rapid urbanisation, Jagannath Panda’s paintings and sculptures concern the consequences such as rural exodus and dislocation created by the sustainment of accelerated progress of cities in India. With a naturalistic reminiscence of a traditional style, the artist intercalates his painted images with brocade fabric, juxtaposing them to become the skins of his animals, feathers of the birds, tree barks, attires of mythological figures or even the bark of the trees. The synthesis of symbols definitive of the modern world of today with scintillating colour tones gives the artist's oeuvre a magical charm resonating with mythological allegory. This work depicting an ornate owl was executed with acrylic & fabric on canvas in 2020.

Lot no. 81: Untitled by Barun Chowdhury

The above-presented work is by artist Barun Chowdhury, who often incorporates animal imagery into his works to symbolise various aspects of human behaviour and social issues. Executed in bold and graphic style using vibrant colour composition and strong figurative presentation, he also comments on the impact of human actions on the natural world and power dynamics within society through his creations. By combining traditional Indian art forms with contemporary techniques, he creates works that are both aesthetically appealing and thought-provoking. This work was executed in 2011 with acrylic on canvas.

Lot no. 87: Optimum Viraj Naik

The above-presented work is by artist Viraj Naik, whose art practice is defined by the use of symbolism and metaphor. He often employs abstract and surreal elements, such as distorted figures, dream-like landscapes, and fantastical creatures, to explore deeper meanings and universal truths. Through his use of these techniques, Naik creates works that are both visually striking and intellectually engaging. This work was executed with acrylic on canvas in 2008.

The ‘Present Future’ Contemporary Art Auction, scheduled on February 15-16, 2023, explores the metamorphosis of Indian Art and gives an insight into the future of contemporary Indian art. The eclectic selection of 125 artworks includes paintings, sculptures, installations, as well as some vibrant examples of mixed media art by several leading artists, including 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. Please visit our website to register for bidding and view the entire catalogue today.

About AstaGuru
AstaGuru was conceptualised in the year 2008 with the sole purpose of creating a safe and secure platform to conduct online auctions for Indian, Contemporary & Modern Art. The word AstaGuru is a thoughtful conjugation of ‘Asta’, of Italian origin, which translates to auction and ‘Guru’, Sanskrit connotation for ‘master’ that indicates our distinguished finesse at being the leaders of auctioneering art and artefacts in India as well as globally. With the world melting into one harmonious digital cosmos, AstaGuru has strived to successfully bridge the gap between prospective buyers and consignors by transcending the limitations of live auctions. AstaGuru imparts effortless transparency to the process of acquiring and selling art and rare collectables. Our diverse portfolio includes categories such as Jewellery & Fine Silver, Timepieces, Textiles, Celebrity Memorabilia, Rare Books, Numismatic, Philately and Vintage Cars. AstaGuru’s mobile app enables our esteemed bidders to follow and participate in our auctions seamlessly, and in real-time.

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