Elementa will be displaying a collection of works from a group of young cutting edge Indian and Pakistani artists working in different disciplines. The artists selected demonstrate the shared historical, cultural, social, religious, and political angst both countries have suffered. Today this diverse yet integrated body of work shows the crossroads that we are all standing in the midst of and are active participants in, within the growing expanding, developing new urbanity of the region.

Bani Abidi- is probably one of Pakistan’s most prominent video artists who actively explores this form. In her works Abidi describes and discusses various social transformations and often approaches the subject of identity. Some of her videos make strong socio-political statements. Her latest works which include a set of drawings take an in depth look at the structure of security barrier in the streets of Karachi, Pakistan as mobile architectures that are pushed, pulled, assembled to block and reroute mobility on the streets. “In normal everyday life, they are like an obstacle course through which you have to maneuver your car in impossible twists and turns. Her video called “Reserved” shows how the entire city comes to a stand still awaiting the arrival of a nameless VIP, who comically never arrives. This work was included in the Singapore Biennale.

Subodh Gupta- In his sculptures, paintings and installations, he traverses the distance from his rural origins to the world beyond by using forms and products from everyday India out of their rural utilitarian context. Much of Gupta’s work is built on objects from day-to-day Indian life, such as stainless steel kitchen utensils, milk cans etc. According to Gupta “ It’s straight out of any Indian kitchen, but it is still universal” One of his pieces ‘Very Hungry God’ 2006, a large-scale scull made out of kitchen utensils was acquired by Francois Pinault and exhibited in front of the Palazzo Grassi during last years Venice Biennale. Gupta is represented by important galleries such as the Art & Public (Geneva), In Situ (Paris) and Jack Shainman (New York)

Naiza Khan- The imagery in her drawings and prints make strong references to the body. According to the artist the body becomes a site for the personal, the social and the ritualistic and she depicts this through confrontational images of the chastity belt, lingerie and strait jackets. More recently the artist has been creating metal sculptures. Over this one year, objects have developed such as the ‘armour-skirt’ that is at the same time flirtatious and oppressive. These objects find a place between armour and lingerie, between war and love, and are ambiguous in their position of aggression and seduction. Alongside this, imaginary landscapes such as ‘Iron clouds’ have emerged, that center on the idea of boundaries and paradoxes in nature”. For her it is a space for reconciliation, where the rough edges of life can be negotiated.

Bharti Kher- Kher’s usage of ready made ‘bindi’s’ (the dot shaped-third eye worn decoratively and spiritually by Indian men and women) as a central motif of her practice brings to her art a range of meanings and connotations. Arranged in either orderly geometric patterns or organic teeming masses she creates new ways of understanding the world around us. Her work questions the stereotypical and explores the issues of ethnic identity. This inadvertently leads to addressing the issues of class, consumer society and feminism. She also is known for her menagerie of resin cast animals and continues to explore her interest in kitsch and popular culture. Kher is also represented by Jack Shainman Gallery (New York)

Rashid Rana- His digital prints and videos deal with multiple issues of faith and popular culture. He also incorporates a social political commentary and parody by transforming and distorting symbols of traditional Muslim daily life, and reinterpreting elements of art and culture. In most of his work scale is of importance as he plays on the spectator’s visual experience by manipulating their sense of orientation/disorientation. He recently had a solo show at Art and Public in Geneva.

Mithu Sen- Her manipulation of found materials combined with her morbidly playful paintings generate unusual provocative associations around the subjects of gender, domesticity, sexuality and kitsch. Her drawings have an underlying sense of wit which she successfully incorporates into her sculptures. The imagery used by Sen confronts the issues of fear and awkwardness related to female sexuality. She recently participated in a group show in Seoul and a solo with Bose Pacia in New York

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