Delhi-based artist Jagannath Panda comes to Mumbai with a solo show that discusses the chaos and aspirations that make up a thriving city
Artist Jagannath Panda is no stranger to living in a city. Born in Bhubaneswar, he moved to bustling Delhi in 1995, when he was in his twenties. Now, after a hiatus of nearly eight years, Panda is back with a solo exhibition, Crystal Cities, which draws from his urban surroundings. The exhibition, which opened today at Dr Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum, features a mix of paintings and sculptures that explore the dislocation and chaos experienced in an urban setting. "Cities are the powerhouses of a country, and they're constantly changing. And within these cities is urbanisation, dislocation, and social and economic injustice," says Panda.
Dweller of Metropolis – II
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Among the collection of 34 works are examples of what he's talking about. One mixed media painting portrays the aggression of iron ore mining, while the Dweller of Metropolis series, features miniature urban scenes inside wooden boxes. "I've used old photographs, toys, papier-mache, and mirrors to give the viewer a peek into the personal space of those who live in these concrete structures," says Panda.
The Profiteer
Animals and birds feature in his works, too. There are sculptures featuring large busts of birds positioned on human forms. "I use animals as extensions of humans, wherein they depict human psychology and behaviour, and the structures of power in society," he shares. One of these is The Profiteer, a briefcase-toting, shoe-wearing crow, while another features a powerful Brahminy Kite. The series exudes a dystopian aura, filled with the chaos that Panda associates with today's metropolis.
Jagannath Panda
TILL: October 29, 10 am to 6 pm
AT:âu00c2u0080u00c2u0088Dr Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum, Byculla East.
CALL: 23731234
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