looking to the future: sculptural works in contemporary art
Sculptures have been three-dimensional mediums of expression throughout history, reflecting the thought, art movements, tastes and even political structures of the time. From the earliest known sculptures dating back to 32,000 BC, the busts and human sculptures popularised by the ancient Greeks and Romans, neoclassical marble works of the 18th century to the abstraction and mixed media we see in contemporary art today - the scope of sculptural works has grown exponentially. AstaGuru’s contemporary art auction ‘Present Future’, scheduled for September 22-23, 2022, will be showcasing some such exemplary sculptures by eminent contemporary artists of our time.
Lot no. 41: I Am With In You - 6 by Dhananjay Singh
Inspired by his childhood spent surrounded by plants, quite a few of Dhananjay Singh’s works attempt to emulate natural forms and fuse the zoological and botanical together. ‘I Am With In You - 6, created with bronze and stainless steel wire in, is an apt example of this, with a human face and multiple branches of leaves sprouting from it. The sculpture, like most of Dhananjay’s oeuvre, is an exploration of the relationship between humans and nature.
Lot no. 81: Untitled by Anish Kapoor
This stunning piece, executed in 2011, belongs to the British-Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor’s notable series of reflective stainless steel discs he has been creating since the 1990s. Pieces from this series attempt to create both a seamless and distorted view of what they reflect depending on their finishes. His smaller-scale intimate sculptures, as opposed to his usual large-scale public commissions, are an intimate look into the artist’s imagination and fascination for subjects like the metaphysical.
Lot no. 3: Untitled by Lakshman Rao Kotturu
Growing up in Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh, Lakshman Rao Kotturu’s early years were spent around lush forests, beaches and rivers. His work is a reflection of those very years, the subject matter revolving around nature with an organic approach. This piece is created with GI steel, black mesh, fencing wire and fibreglass. It is a beautiful demonstration of Lakshman’s proficiency in translating his thoughts through the materials he uses.
Lot no. 56: Untitled by Valay Shende
This large-scale sculpture by Valay Shende has been created with stainless steel discs painted with lacquer. The circular discs are the artist’s signature medium and he activates and interconnects them often to create his works. These, he says, is to emulate how atoms and molecules collaborate to create matter. This piece too is inspired by his fascination for science and nature.
Lot no. 45: Untitled by Anjum Singh
This stunning untitled work by Anjum Singh is created with several magnets on an iron frame, coming together to mimic the formation of a beehive. The renowned artist, who passed away in 2020, was known for speaking of subjects such as environmental degradation, colonised lands and later her own battle with cancer. The artist was heavily influenced by artist Amrita Sher-Gil and her own mother, artist Arpita Singh’s work.
Lot no. 77: Super Gandhi (Ed: 5) by Debanjan Roy
Debanjan Roy brings his unique approach to the legendary Mahatma Gandhi, a constant source of inspiration for the artist, to his sculpture titled ‘Super Gandhi (Ed: 5)’. The work is a reimagining of Gandhi as Superman, dressing the Mahatma in the superhero’s signature red cape and blue costume while he also dons his own trademark dhoti. The work has previously been displayed at Debanjan’s solo exhibition ‘Toying With Gandhi’ at Akar Prakar in Kolkata (2019) and was published in the 4th November, 2019 issue of ‘The Indian Express’.
Please visit our website to view the entire catalogue for the ‘Present Future’ Auction
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.
For more information, please log on to www.astaguru.com
