KYNKYNY is thrilled to announce its upcoming group exhibition titled, ‘Textures of the Past and Present’, featuring an extraordinary collection of artworks by renowned contemporary artists Madhuri Kathe, Basuki Dasgupta and Bhaskar Rao Botcha. Through the work of these three contemporary artists, this exhibition celebrates the power of textures to convey emotion, provoke contemplation, and establish a connection between the viewer and the artwork. This compelling exhibition will be held at KYNKYNY, Bangalore from 14th July to 12th August, 2023.

Basuki Dasgupta, an eminent mixed media artist known for his mythological imagery, presents his lesser known, but equally captivating, abstract work in Textures of the Past and Present. His masterful use of bold colours, geometric shapes and rich textures create multi-dimensional artworks that transcend conventional boundaries. Trained as a muralist, Dasgupta recreates some of the visual and physical elements of a mural on a canvas by layering materials, one on top of the other. He uses texture white to achieve the effect of relief on canvas, inspired by the historic terracotta temples in his hometown of Bishnupur, West Bengal. Inspired by a diverse range of influences, from Pattachitra and Kalighat to Baul music, Dasgupta’s works stimulate emotions and encourage introspection.

Bhaskar Rao Botcha, renowned for his captivating depictions of trees, invites viewers to appreciate the serene beauty of nature and its everlasting connection with the human experience. He applies layer upon layer of thick paint in a myriad of colours, mixing them directly on the canvas to create the signature background of his treescapes. At first glance, his artworks look like flat compositions that he likens to miniature paintings, but on closer inspection, one can see flecks of gold, black, pink and blue like a tangled web. Each of his works portrays the tree as a lifelike character, sometimes dressed in leaves of green, yellow or brown, but most often in vibrant colours. More recently, his works include elements of architecture that appear faintly in the background as a stark reminder of how trees are slowly losing their place in our modern cities.

Madhuri Kathe presents a new series of abstract compositions that embody her profound understanding of texture and form. Her unique artistic language intertwines delicate layers, and intricate textures, resulting in visually arresting artworks that evoke a sense of mystery. Guided by her desire to experiment with natural materials and her spiritual interest, she works with an unlikely combination of materials, including surgical gauze and Chinese rice paper that she burns on a flame to create raw, jagged edges. Her meditative process and spontaneous gestures add depth and energy to her abstract compositions, exuding a sense of calm.