'Under the Mask': Come, celebrate artistic exuberance of Himmat Shah with 'Pandemic Drawings'

New Delhi: Celebrating master sculptor Himmat Shah, a new exhibition, `Under the Mask’, presents an extraordinary collection of his 'Pandemic Drawings', showcasing the artist's creative response during the challenging times.

The exhibition is open to the public at Art Magnum from July 28 to August 14 in New Delhi.

The exhibition, featuring as many as 300 paintings made by Shah during the COVID-19 pandemic, is curated by Jyotirmoy Bhattacharya. Currently underway at the Bikaner House, it aims to reveal Shah's "introspection and exploration of hidden truths beneath the surface".

"Himmat Shah's 'Pandemic Drawings' is a testament to his artistic resilience and his ability to delve into the depths of human emotions. The exhibition offers a unique opportunity to witness the profound expressions of one of India's living master artists," said the curator Jyotirmoy Bhattacharya.

Another noteworthy highlight in the exhibition is the 90-year-old artist's two sculptures made using real diamonds -- a captivating creation being unveiled for the first time in India.

Adding to the richness of the exhibition, acclaimed photographer Raghu Rai contributes to the showcase by using his lens to capture the essence and depth of Himmat Shah's artistic journey. Through Rai's photographs, viewers are invited to experience the profound expressions and resilience reflected in Shah's 'Pandemic Drawings'.

"Himmat Shah's 'Pandemic Drawings' evoke a profound sense of introspection and resilience. It has been an honor to witness his artistic journey and capture the depth of his creations through my lens," said Rai.

Who is Himmat Shah?

Born in Lothal, Gujarat, the sculptor had a childhood surrounded by the remnants of the Indus Valley Civilisation's prominent port city. The artist lives and works in Jaipur.

Shah initially trained to become a drawing teacher before enrolling at the Faculty of Fine Arts at M.S. University Baroda to study painting from 1956 to 1960. He then received a French Government scholarship on recommendation and went on to study etching at Atelier 17 under Krishna Reddy in Paris in 1967.

In 1967, he received a French Government scholarship and studied etching at Atelier 17 in Paris under Krishna Reddy. Shah became a member of Group 1890, an artists' collective founded by J. Swaminathan.

Throughout his career, Shah has widely experimented across forms and mediums, making burnt paper collages, architectural murals, drawings, and sculptures, though he sees himself as primarily a sculptor. His self-designed tools and innovative techniques give his preferred medium – terracotta – a contemporary edge. Shah uses several tools, brushes, instruments, and hand tools to carve, shape, and mold his works. From 1967 onwards, he started working on relief work and sculpture, and he is widely recognized for his abstract terracotta and bronze sculptures. His best-known work remains the heads in Terracotta and bronze

Shah has exhibited in numerous solo and group shows in India and internationally and was honored with the Kalidasa Samman by the Government of Madhya Pradesh in 2003, and he received the Sahitya Kala Parishad Award in New Delhi in 1988.

One of Shah's notable contributions to the art world is his unique approach to sculpture. He is celebrated for his experimental use of materials, particularly terracotta, bronze, and stone. His sculptures often explore human forms and abstract shapes, displaying a fine blend of simplicity and complexity. Shah's artworks reflect his interest in the primitive, the timeless, and the transcendental, creating a sense of contemplation and introspection for viewers.

In 2003, he was conferred with the Kalidasa Samman by the Government of Madhya Pradesh. Shah also received the Sahitya Kala Parishad Award, New Delhi, in 1988.

Even today, Himmat Shah continues to extend his search for his medium and craft, pushing boundaries in sculpture as well as drawing, out of his studio in Jaipur, established in the year 2000.

Inputs from PTI