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DiaporamaSrinagar II
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Srinagar II
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$ 263
Artwork Description
Kashmir, once a land of multitudinous beauty, is now a valley beset by conflict, death and destruction. It is considered “the unfinished business of the end of Empire” and remains one of the oldest unresolved disputes in the world today. Witness to Paradise 2016 (the title drawn from Sanjay Kak’s photo-book of the same name) is a curatorial project presenting mediated reflections of a landscape that was once and now is Kashmir, through the work of two artists, an anthropologist and filmmaker: respectively, Nilima Sheikh, Praneet Soi, Abeer Gupta and Sanjay Kak.Sheikh’s paintings are personally woven imaginings that draw from accounts, texts, lore and the craft traditions of the region.For example, Another Chronicle of Loss and Shadows, Stains are informed by the poems of Kashmiri poet Aga Shahid Ali, while Sheikh’s extensive use of stencilwork alludes to the latticework typical of vernacular Kashmiri architecture. Her paintings are a multifaceted meditation on the nature of destroyed beauty, the necessity of memory, and the forms and adequacy of memorialisation.In Srinagar II, Soi explores the plurality of influences in Kashmir and the migratory nature of forms and images through the papier-mâché tiles. The slideshow of Sufi shrines and other images are an ongoing visual diary of Srinagar that Soi constantly updates.The wall drawings include excerpts from the Instrument of Accession (ceding Jammu and Kashmir to the Dominion of India in 1947) and a diagram referring to anamorphosis (a technique that causes an image to appear distorted unless seen from a particular location) from Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Atlanticus, which serves as a metaphor for his body of work shown here.Gupta explores the material culture of Kashmir through the pheran – a garment that is used widely by men, women and children across class and religion in this region. He sees the pheran as a symbol of Kashmiri identity that has witnessed the political, social, cultural and aesthetic changes that have taken place in the area. Archival photographs from the collection of Mahatta & Co. Srinagar showcase the pheran in the context of daily life in Kashmir.Kak curates 30 photographs by five photojournalists – Meraj ud-Din, Javeed Shah, Altaf Qadri, Showkat Hussain Nanda and Syed Shahriyar Hussainy – to excavate photography as a key artistic practice that has emerged from 25 years of endemic conflict in the Kashmir valley. The Witness to Paradise project focuses on photographers who displace older photographic traditions, which were first spawned by colonialism, and later tourism. The established tropes around Kashmir–of a beautiful landscape sans people; of an innocent paradise; or at best, of a paradise beset by mindless violence–are conclusively reversed by this work.
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Artist Biography
Praneet Soi: Documenting Labor and Memory
Praneet Soi (b. 1971) was born in Kolkata, India, amidst a burgeoning artistic landscape shaped by influences from both Western modernism and Indian traditions. He pursued his formal education diligently, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Painting at Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in 1994 and subsequently completing his Master's degree in Fine Arts there in 1996. This grounding in academic rigor would prove invaluable as he embarked on a journey to Amsterdam in 2002, where he enrolled at the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten—a pivotal step that fostered collaboration with fellow artists and broadened his artistic horizons. He continues to reside in Amsterdam today, balancing creative pursuits with scholarly engagement.- Early Influences: Soi’s formative years were marked by exposure to the avant-garde movements of Europe, particularly Surrealism and Conceptual Art, which instilled in him a fascination for exploring unconventional approaches to artistic expression. Simultaneously, he absorbed the rich visual culture of India—particularly miniature painting—which would later permeate his own distinctive style.
- Academic Training: His studies at MS University Baroda honed his technical skills and fostered an understanding of compositional principles, while his MFA program at UC San Diego provided him with a critical framework for analyzing contemporary art practices.
The Documentation Project: Focusing on Kumartuli Workshops
Soi’s artistic trajectory gained significant momentum in 2008 when he initiated an ambitious project documenting the intricate world of Kumartuli, Kolkata—the epicenter of Hindu idol making. Driven by a desire to capture the essence of this disappearing craft tradition, he embarked on meticulous observation and photographic recording, transforming these images into powerful paintings that conveyed not only visual accuracy but also palpable emotion. This commitment to portraying marginalized communities and preserving cultural heritage would become a recurring theme throughout his oeuvre.- Kumartuli Workshops: Soi’s work centers around documenting the daily lives of artisans in Kumartuli, capturing their techniques, tools, and the social dynamics within these workshops.
- Painting Style: His paintings are characterized by a restrained palette—often dominated by earthy tones—and a meticulous attention to detail that reflects his dedication to faithfully representing the textures and nuances of his subjects.
Recognition and Awards
Soi’s artistic endeavors have garnered considerable acclaim, culminating in prestigious awards and honors. Notably, he received the Sahitya Akademi Golden Jubilee Award for Literature in 2008—a testament to his intellectual curiosity and engagement with cultural discourse—and subsequently secured the Sahitya Akademi Prize for Translation in India in 2013. Furthermore, in 2022, he was awarded the 7th JLF-Mahakavi Kanhaiyalal Sethia Award for Poetry—affirming his commitment to artistic exploration across diverse mediums.- Sahitya Akademi Awards: These accolades underscore Soi’s dedication to both visual art and literary scholarship.
- JLF Prize: The JLF prize recognizes his poetic sensibilities and his ability to convey complex ideas through evocative language.
Recent Exhibitions and Artistic Developments
Soi's artistic output has been showcased in galleries and art fairs across India, Netherlands, UK, and the United States—establishing him as a prominent figure within the international contemporary art scene. His work explores themes of memory, labor, and cultural identity, often juxtaposing traditional crafts with modern visual languages. Recent projects include *Hold Still*, which delves into the impact of media on collective consciousness, and *Urban Kitsch,* exploring vernacular visual culture in Baroda following economic liberalization. He continues to push boundaries, experimenting with new mediums and engaging in collaborative endeavors that enrich his artistic practice.Concluding Thoughts
Praneet Soi’s art stands as a compelling reflection of India's evolving cultural landscape—a testament to the power of observation, meticulous documentation, and artistic innovation. His unwavering commitment to preserving cultural heritage alongside exploration of contemporary themes ensures that his work will continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.
Praneet Soi
1971 - , India
Quick Facts
- Artistic Movement Or Style: Contemporary Art
- Artists Or Movements Influenced By This Artist: ['Experimenter']
- Artists Who Influenced This Artist: ['Sally Mann']
- Date Of Birth: 1971
- Full Name: Praneet Soi
- Nationality: Indian
- Notable Artworks:
- Srinagar II
- Falling Figure
- Place Of Birth: Kolkata, India
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