SCION INSTALLATION L.A. GALLERY PRESENTS "OTHER ANECDOTES"

CURATED BY NIYATEE SHINDE AND RUCHIKA'S ART GALLERY (GOA, INDIA)

LOS ANGELES – July 2011 – Scion presents "Other Anecdotes" curated by Niyatee Shinde of the India-based Ruchika’s Art Gallery. The exhibition features original artwork from a selection of young, contemporary Indian artists.

“Other Anecdotes” scripts the fortitude and vigor characteristic of India’s current aesthetic endeavors. The exhibition unravels the way in which Indian artists probe critical and complex issues concerning ecology, gender, sexuality, politics and social engagement. Other Anecdotes subverts the established rhetoric to narrate a visual sensibility that embraces a more democratic and celebratory perspective.

The featured artists are: Aadhi Vishal, Ajay Rajgarhia, Debasree Das, Dileep Sharma, Dilip Dhore, Gigi Scaria, Loknath Sinha, Manu Binny George, Murali Cheeroth, Prajjwal Chowdhury, Priti Vadakkath, Rajshree Thakkar, Saju Kunhan, Santosh Morajkar, Veeranganakumari Solanki, and Viraj Naik.

The opening reception takes place on Saturday, August 6th, 7 – 10 p.m. at Scion Installation L.A., 3521 Helms Ave. (at National), Culver City, CA 90232. The reception is FREE with RSVP at: www.scionav.com/space. There will be complimentary valet parking and an open bar with artists in attendance. The exhibition will run until September 3rd, 2011.

About the curator and associated gallery

Niyatee Shinde, an ex-Research Fellow, NMAH, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, USA, ex-Director Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Mumbai, is an internationally recognized photo-historian and curator. For over 25 years she has contributed on art and photography in leading publications. She has conceptualized, curated and organized many art auctions and exhibitions in India, and large group shows in Abu Dhabi - UAE, New York - USA and Seoul - Korea. She was invited on several occasions as Nominator for prestigious international photography awards, and has presented numerous talks and illustrated lectures on photography and art. Currently she is an independent curator, consultant-curator with Ruchika’s Art Gallery, Goa and Director Turmeric Earth, Mumbai.

Ruchika’s Art Gallery, situated in the heart of Panjim, the capital of Goa, India, is a premier space dedicated to providing a platform for Goan artists, showcasing national currents in contemporary art and initiating a dialogue with international creative endeavors. The gallery has a sweeping space of nearly 10,000sq.ft where, besides the contemporary, folk arts and experimentation in art and craft are equally encouraged. It is a haven for young artists whose skills and talent are recognized and encouraged. The accent is on aesthetic exploration and visual dialogue. Ruchika’s Art Gallery promotes art through important exhibitions, retrospectives, publications, residencies and workshops that highlight the history and education of art and craft. Initiated by Jaywant Chowgule in memory of his wife Ruchika an adherent lover of the arts.

About the Artists

Aadhi Vishal (Goa) received his BFA from the Goa College of Art. The central themes to most of his works are women who in turn are a universal force with positive energy. The artist also draws inspiration from nature in the city’s peripheral surroundings.

Ajay Rajgarhia (New Delhi) is a self-taught photographer who has recently delved into exploring video art as well. Travelling with a restless energy on the streets, Rajgarhia is always looking to capture that “perfect moment”.

Bose Krishnamachari (Mumbai) received his BFA from the Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai, and his MFA from Goldsmith’s College, London, UK. Krishnamachari’s canvases access the global archives of various disciplines. An exponent of all mediums in art, his works exhibit a strong intellectual basis.

Debasree Das (Baroda) received her BFA and Post-Graduate Diploma in Fine Arts from M.S. University, Baroda, India. Her works overlap vivid pictorial references that comment on the changing situations and circumstances in the contemporary world.

Dileep Sharma (Mumbai) received his BFA from Rajasthan School of Art, and MFA from the Sir J. J. School of Art. His paintings contain a mix of urban pop & ethnic mythology. Sharma’s rendition of subjects is reminiscent of miniature painting & Kerala's mural paintings.

Dilip Dhore (Mumbai) received his BFA from the Sir J.J. Institute of Applied Art. Dhore has been efficient in his pragmatic orientation, and now transcends that orientation to reach the sphere of contemplation where he transposes the generated photographic imprints to the photorealistic paper works.

Gigi Scaria (Bengaluru) did his BFA in painting at the College of Fine Arts, Thiruvananthapuram, and his MFA at the Jamia Millia University. His work focuses on issues of change, unsettlement, immigration, exodus and non-belonging. Scaria attempts to draw the viewer’s attention towards the painful truths of displacement.

Loknath Sinha (Baroda) received his Art Degree from M.S. University, Baroda, India, before joining the clay animation industry and then returning to be a dedicated artist. The artist’s sculptures and paintings are based on the culture of his surrounding urban lifestyle.

Manu Binny George (Kerala) received his BFA in Painting from the Raja Ravi Varma College of Fine Arts, and his MFA in Sculpture from College of Fine Arts, Trivandrum Kerala. He is inspired by a market-oriented society and with sardonic humor reflects modern day existence wherein he describes his generation as a generation in transit with its constant conflict of ideas and ethics.

Murali Cheeroth (Bengaluru) received his BFA and MFA from Santiniketan, West Bengal. Cheeroth is inspired by elements prevalent in contemporary living. His works attempt to mirror the rapid transitions that modern living characterize, wherein variously coded worlds surface simultaneously.

Prajjwal Chowdhury (Baroda) received his BVA from Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata, and MVA from MS University, Baroda. His work questions the commercialization of the art world and is characterized by its incessant return to a particular concern, namely a capitalist society with a consumerist attitude.

Priti Vadakkath (Bengaluru) received her BA in History from Stella Maris College, Chennai and a Diploma in Accessory Design from NIFT, New Delhi. In her watercolor works, the images are primarily sourced from her family albums; in using them there is a deliberate surrender of fidelity, and an abstraction that lies in bleaching out all characteristics of the original and juxtaposition of images to convey the central idea behind the creation of the image.

Rajshree Thakkar (Goa) received her Art Degree at the College of Art, Panjim. Though her earlier paintings revolved around visual motifs like scarecrows, her later works displayed mythical and religious themes with an ethereal touch. Currently her focus is on the female form painted in subdued gray shades against bright backgrounds. She was awarded The Harmony Excellence Award for the Emerging Artist of the Year 2001.

Saju Kunhan (Mumbai) received his BFA and MFA from the Sir J.J. School of Arts. Kunhan paints life kaleidoscopically reflected in the headlights of automobiles. While at art college he received the Camlin Award for Young Artists in 2009.

Santosh Morajkar (Goa) received his BFA from the Goa College of Arts, and an MFA in printmaking from the University of Hyderabad. In his paintings, the viewer is compelled to confront the subject of ‘erotica’, and even their own sexuality.

Veeranganakumari Solanki (Mumbai) completed her BA in English Literature, Post-graduate diplomas in Indian Aesthetics, and Art Criticism and Theory, and MA in History. Solanki was a participant in the first Gwangju Biennale International Curators’ Course, South Korea. Her curatorial experience has involved research on emerging Asian, and international artists and art practices, as well as Indian Modern and Contemporary Art.

Viraj Naik (Goa) received his BFA from Goa University and MFA in Printmaking from University of Hyderabad. His works involve enchanting figures, which reflect his fascination with Greek mythology, and at the same time possess a distinct Goan feel – an influence of his strong roots.
More information on this, and past exhibitions is available at www.scionav.com/art

About Scion Installation L.A.
Dedicated to fostering independent artistic expression, Scion Installation L.A. is space that allows artists to explore their creative visions. Scion Installation L.A. hosts art shows and art-related events for cutting-edge contemporary artists from across the globe. One-hundred percent of all sales go directly to the artists. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday 11 am to 6 pm and by appointment: 310.815.8840.

About Scion
Scion, from Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., was developed with a new generation of youthful buyers in mind. Scion’s mission is to provide distinctive products, the opportunity to personalize, and an innovative, consumer-driven process at the retail level. The brand features three groundbreaking models with a wide array of standard features: the xD urban subcompact five-door, the iconic xB urban utility vehicle and the tC sports coupe. Scion launches the all-new, premium micro-subcompact iQ in 2011. The Scion brand often applies new practices in all aspects of its business and pushes the creativity envelope with non-traditional advertising and marketing to engage young consumers. Scion also supports originality through its programs in the artistic community. For more information, visit www.scion.com.

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Scion Installation Space
3521 Helms Avenue
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T: 310.815.8840
www.scionav.com/space