Radhika Agarwala | Weathering With You

27 June - 3 August 2024
Radhika Agarwala | Weathering With You
In Gallery 3 the work of Radhika Agarwala weaves a fascinating and haunting sculptural narrative concerning memory, both recent and ancient. The human scale meets the geological scale across the corroded and patina’d surface of the multi panelled Studies in Earth Displacement series in broad reference to the wide range of natural landscapes across the planet and through time. The component works in Studies in Debris Displacement and Debris Flow are less generalised – directly referencing the humanitarian and environmental loss caused by the extreme cyclone ‘Amphan’ that wreaked widespread destruction across the artist’s native West Bengal in May of 2020.   
 
Agarwala writes:It is impossible to ignore mankind’s role as a major geological force, one whose impact we have not yet fully fathomed... Abandoned, overgrown and untamed environments inspire me. Natural chaos is beautiful, but with increasing urbanization, we are progressively losing our natural environs to cement and steel. My work is a testament to this loss and disappearance of thousands of species of plants and trees capturing a botanical melancholy of degeneration and struggle, absence and presence.
 
Notes on the artists

Radhika Agarwala has completed her MFA in Fine Art from Goldsmiths, University of London (2011), MFA in Painting from School of Fine Art, University of Florida (2010) and Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Painting from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (2008) followed by BFA in Painting from Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata (2007). She lived and worked in London until 2014.

 

Her works have been exhibited for ‘Planetary Scale’, curated by Jasone Miranda-Bilbao at Filet, London (2024) , Art Dubai at Latitude 28 (2022) ,'When The Other Stares Back' , curated by Adwait Singh at Kaee Contemporary, Kolkata (2022), 'Memory Leaves' ,Curated by Uma Nair at Art Exposure, Kolkata (2022), ‘All The Days and Nights’ at Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London (2020), with Latitude 28 at Delhi Contemporary Art Week (2021-2017), India Art Fair (2023,2022,2019 & 2018); ‘Babur ki Gai’ (2018) and ‘G/rove’ (2017), 'Participate', Asians Arts Initiative (2014). Solo exhibits include 'For Two Lovers' (2013) & 'Encounter' (2012) at Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London. Artist residencies include Atelierhaus Salzamt, Austria & Casa Dell'Arte, Turkey (2013). She has participated in the Saatchi Gallery Auction, London (2012) and was shortlisted for the 100 Painters of Tomorrow, by Kurt Beers, Cecily Brown & Jack Klein and Threadneedle Prize for Painting and Sculpture, UK (2013), Annual Scholarship from University OF Florida School of Art + Art History, U.S.A and Merit Scholarship from School of The Art Institute of Chicago.

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