Draupadi’s Vow

Artist

Sheela Gowda

Born in Bhavanagar, India

The Tactile Narratives of Sheela Gowda

Born in Bhadravati, India, Sheela Gowda has emerged as a profound voice in contemporary art, weaving together the threads of personal memory, social reality, and ancient myth. Her journey began amidst the diverse landscapes of both rural and urban India, shaped significantly by her father’s passion for documenting folk music and collecting cultural artifacts. This early exposure to the textures of tradition provided a fertile ground for an artistic practice that would eventually transcend the boundaries of traditional media. After honing her skills at the Ken School of Art in Bangalore and studying under the esteemed Professor K. G. Subramanyan in Baroda, Gowda further expanded her academic horizons with studies at Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan and the Royal College of Art in London.

While her early career was rooted in the medium of painting—characterized by pensive figures and an expressionistic exploration of middle-class tensions—the 1990s marked a pivotal transformation in her creative evolution. In response to the rapid economic shifts and political unease within India, Gowda moved away from the two-dimensional plane toward three-dimensional installations and sculptures. This shift was driven by a need for subtler, more visceral means to communicate complex reactions to the world around her. She sought materials that could carry the weight of history and the lived experiences of those on the margins, leading to a practice often described as process-oriented.

Materiality and the Language of Labor

The true essence of Gowda’s work lies in her masterful use of unconventional, humble materials that bridge the gap between domestic ritual and monumental storytelling. She possesses a unique ability to transform everyday substances into powerful metaphors for human struggle and resilience. Her installations often utilize elements such as:

Yarn and Thread: Used to create undulating, organic surfaces that evoke both the intimacy of domestic labor and the epic scale of Indian mythology.

Incense and Kumkuma: Materials that draw a direct line to the ritualistic practices of India and the industrial labor processes of the incense industry.

Raw Fibers: Elements that mimic the fluidity of hair or blood, adding a visceral, tactile dimension to her compositions.

In works such as Draupadi’s Vow, the use of vibrant red threads serves as a hauntingly beautiful conduit for memory and defiance. By employing materials associated with the everyday labor of marginalized people, Gowda highlights the intersections of gender, class, and identity. Her art does not merely depict a subject; it embodies a physical presence where the very texture of the medium reflects the scars of struggle and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

Legacy and Global Recognition

Gowda’s contribution to contemporary art is marked by her ability to create apocalyptic landscapes that are simultaneously deeply intimate. Her work resonates with a sense of postminimalism, drawing from ritualistic associations to explore how we perceive the world through layers of tradition and modernity. This profound engagement with both the local and the universal has earned her significant international acclaim, including being named a recipient of the 2019 Maria Lassnig Prize.

Her impactful installations are now held in some of the most prestigious institutions in the world, ensuring that her exploration of labor, ritual, and identity continues to provoke thought across borders. Notable collections featuring her work include:

Tate, London

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, USA

Walker Art Centre, Minneapolis, USA

Through her meticulous and process-driven approach, Sheela Gowda remains a vital figure in the global art dialogue, reminding viewers that the most profound truths are often woven into the very fabric of our daily existence.

Museum

Devi Art Foundation

On show in Gurugram, India

A Sanctuary of South Asian Vision: The Devi Art Foundation

In the bustling heart of Gurugram, where industrial progress meets the rapid pulse of modern India, lies a profound sanctuary for the soul: the Devi Art Foundation. More than a mere repository for objects, this institution serves as a luminous beacon for the evolving artistic landscape of South Asia. Established through the visionary passion of Anupam and Lekta Poddar, the foundation was born from a deep-seated desire to elevate the visibility of creative expression within the subcontinent. It stands as a testament to the power of private patronage, transforming a personal devotion to art into a public stage where the diverse voices of a region can converge, clash, and coalesce into a shared cultural narrative.

The collection itself is an expansive, breathing entity, boasting over 7,000 pieces that traverse the delicate boundaries between the ancient and the avant-garde. To wander through its halls is to embark on a temporal journey; one might find themselves captivated by the intricate precision of a Pahari miniature, such as Nainsukh’s

“Durga Confronts the Buffalo Demon Mahisha,”

where Mughal and Persian influences dance across the surface to recount the grandeur of Hindu mythology. Yet, this reverence for tradition is seamlessly juxtaposed with the raw energy of contemporary sculpture and tribal art that celebrates India’s rich, multifaceted heritage. The collection thrives on this tension, offering experimental works that push the limits of medium and meaning, challenging every preconceived notion of what South Asian art can be.

Architectural Harmony and the Spirit of Innovation

The physical presence of the Devi Art Foundation is as much a work of art as the treasures it houses. Designed by the architect Aniket Bhagwat, the museum’s structure is a masterclass in material dialogue. By blending the rugged, weathered texture of Corten steel with the organic warmth of handmade bricks, the architecture reflects a deliberate reverence for both industrial innovation and artisanal craftsmanship. This intentional marriage of materials mirrors the collection's own duality—the intersection of the modern moment and the enduring weight of history. The expansive, light-filled spaces are thoughtfully curated to prioritize visitor engagement, creating an immersive environment where the boundary between the observer and the observed begins to dissolve.

What truly distinguishes the Devi Art Foundation is its pioneering spirit as India’s inaugural private museum dedicated specifically to contemporary art. This unique autonomy grants curators the freedom to pursue ambitious, unconstrained programming that transcends commercial limitations. Notable exhibitions, such as the groundbreaking

“Still Moving Image,”

have spotlighted the cinematic potential of video and photography through the eyes of twenty-five Indian artists, fostering a vibrant intellectual exchange. Through initiatives like Khoj Studios, the foundation actively bridges the gap between art production and public discourse, ensuring that art is never cloistered within institutional walls but remains an active, debating presence in the lives of the community.

For the collector seeking depth or the interior designer searching for inspiration, the Devi Art Foundation offers a profound lesson in curation and atmosphere. It is a place where history is not just remembered but reimagined, and where every corner invites a new way of seeing. By fostering a culture of critical engagement and celebrating the shared histories of the Indian Subcontinent, the foundation continues to inspire a new generation of thinkers, ensuring that the pulse of South Asian creativity beats stronger and more vibrantly than ever before.