On the 18th of this month, Mumbai’s Gallery XXL unveiled an evocative exhibition titled Witness and Evidence: Deliberations on Ruins. The exhibition presents the creations of Indian artist Sajid Wajid Shaikh and Spanish artist Jofre Oliveras and transforms the gallery into a space of profound exploration. The artists delve into the omnipresent ruins, both near and far, surrounding us in their persistent decay.

What role do artists, cultural practitioners, and curators play in crafting a temporal realm to present the chaos stemming from incessant upheaval? Can aesthetics encapsulate the essence of the present moment?

Witness and Evidence invites viewers to congregate and ponder the disarray emerging from witnessing ruins. This exhibition explores historical losses that call for preservation and envisions futures being constructed for the coming generations. Through a rich array of mediums and materials, the artworks convert accumulated ruins from our external and internal worlds into tangible forms, spotlighting the fragmented realities shaped by conflict.

Premiering in this exhibition are Sajid Wajid Shaikh’s striking sculptures crafted from white granite and concrete, alongside his Pie Pie series, which evoke a sense of resilience through their materiality. Additionally, Shaikh’s latest observational drawings and curated objects invite reflection on the concept of home, illustrating how objects embody personal existence and memories amidst conflict.

Complementing Shaikh’s work, Jofre Oliveras presents his imaginative fusion of digital and traditional mediums, offering a glimpse into potential future ruins. His Digital Ruins series reinterprets classical landscapes, contemplating the vast archives of obsolete information that stand as digital remnants of our era. Oliveras’ canvases, adorned with classical Greek and Roman busts, metaphorically capture the intricate layers of the modern world, where historical remnants intertwine with contemporary realities.

Sajid Wajid Shaikh (b. 1989) is a multidisciplinary artist based in Mumbai, India, whose diverse practice spans drawing, sculpture, installation, and film. His work is driven by organic intuition and explores themes such as political violence, identity deconstruction, and the grotesque, often through abstract and distorted forms inspired by psychic automatism. Shaikh's art provokes discomfort and challenges perceptions of humanity and empathy, reflecting India's volatile political landscape. With over a decade of experience, his works have been featured in numerous exhibitions, including the India Art Fair (2024) and the Mumbai Urban Art Festival (2022), and he has participated in prestigious residencies such as the Facebook Artist in Residency Program and Harkat Lab.

Jofre Oliveras (b. 1989) is an artist from Girona, Spain, currently living between Spain and India. With a background in philosophy, communication, and journalism, he uses art and writing to communicate social issues, drawing inspiration from Mediterranean culture and his native landscape. His work, which often takes the form of public murals, engages communities and addresses cultural contexts. Since 2013, Oliveras has participated in numerous international projects, including Nuart Aberdeen (UK), Underline Project (Lebanon and Jordan), and Art Basel Miami (USA). His practice blends research, exploration, and landscaping, reflecting a commitment to understanding human experiences and social interactions.

Witness and Evidence: Deliberations on Ruins

Timings: 11:30 am - 7:30 pm (Tuesday to Sunday)

Venue: Gallery XXL

Address: 21, Arsiwala Mansion First Floor, Wodehouse Road, Colaba, Mumbai 400005

On view till: 20th June, 2024

Follow Gallery XXL here.

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