transcending eternity
DESCRIPTION
Transcending EternityTRANSCRIPT
1 Madhuli, Shivsagar Estate, Worli, Mumbai - 400 018 | Tel. 22-24965798/ 32536266
January - March 2013
There are three main conceptual elements in this collection of my works TRANSCENDING ETERNITY: Vishnu, Shiva and Devi which formulate into Brahman or The Ultimate Reality.
Vishnu represents the Supernova, ever expanding with energy flowing out, while Shiva represents the Black Hole at the centre of the galaxy absorbing the constant flow, contracting and coalescing till it itself evaporates and finally, bursts into a Supernova spewing out tremendous energy again.
This dynamic energy of Vishnu, Shiva and Brahman manifests itself as the Shaktis of the three goddesses -Laxmi, Durga and Saraswati or collectively as the Devi.
Time and space are not linear...the past, the present and the future are all contained in this moment - the Eternal Now.
The understanding of this principal of Vedic science was the point of departure and set the trajectory for my works in TRANSCENDING ETERNITY.
When shut my eyes I am with the first Homo-Sapiens in the damp and dark caves of Lascaux holding a flickering oil lamp and assist them in creating the first pieces of "Art" in an altered state of consciousness or with the sculptors of pharaohs, carving them gazing into eternity as I disembark my boat on the Nile
I can be in Byzantium making gilded mosaics of the Lord, admire the perfection of the Parthenon or travel back to the creation of Angkor, make my way up the lybrinthic steps past the Virochana Buddhas enclosed in hundreds of stupas and reach the summit of Borabodur to experience divine emptiness or rake sand at the Zen gardens of Ryonji.
I can hear the sound of the chisels on stone of 1200 shilpkars creating the erotic walls of Konarak paying homage to the Sun god. I can be with Michelangelo as he gives life to God's finger,with Picasso as he is putting his revolutionary strokes on Guernica or be with Monet contemplating the Nymphaeas at the ponds of Giverny.
Best of all- and it sends a shiver down my spine when I think of it- I reconnect with the Chola bronze makers. I see myself carrying this living tradition forward to another level by breaking the rigid rules and dogmas, to create afresh with renewed vigour, a fresh technique and vision while preserving their essence. Being comfortable with the analytical and the spiritual worlds of the West and the East and their approaches to art, I like to abandon both at the time of creation and to be just myself in order to make art that uplifts and reaches the secret, silent space of the heart.
The other major breakthrough in my present works is the merging of the second and the third dimension, the flat and the round. This progression happened naturally and effortlessly. There was a Wow moment when this came about and thereafter it just flowed. My world is constantly merging and becoming one,I am doing away with dualities because I see no difference between sculpture and painting, ultimately it is the creative act that counts. I call these creations Sculpturepaintings as one word, not hyphenated, because life, time, space, eternity.. are ONE.
Satish GuptaZazen Studio, November 2012
CREATION IS TIME INDEPENDENT, TRANSCENDING ETERNITY.
CREATION IS NOT STATIC, NOR PERMANENT...RATHER AN ENDLESS DYNAMIC PROCESS.
CO
LO
UR
In my paintings, I can only point to the ultimate reality, only a hint is the best I can hope for- a suggestion which perhaps may awaken something in the viewer, something higher, a step closer to Buddha..
panel 1548 x 36 inches
Title, Description, SizeTitle, Description, SizeTitle, Description, Size
When I first read EknathIshwaran on the thousand names of Vishnu along with the translation of Vishnu Sahastranama and his explanation of their meanings, I was deeply inspired to create this work. I painted this while listening to Subhalaxmi reciting them and was mesmerised.
Before starting, I paid several visits to Tirupati and made some drawings in the sanctum sanctorum to take Balaji's blessings. I also realised that it is the millions of pilgrims who visit the temple that give the icon tremendous energy by their devotion. Inside the dimly lit temple, I felt his presence everywhere, in every direction.
That's how I created 360 works to symbolise 360 in 40 panels of 48 x 36inches, each panel with 9 works 16 x 12inchesBALAJI
oil on canvas, 16 x 12 inches
o
panel 20,19,18 & 1748 x 36 inches
After an intense experience, one must rid one’s self of any residue; anything that creates ripples in the still water of the mind. One must wash the charred, cremated bones in milk again and again, till just the essence – pure pain or pure joy remains and not the smoke, not the ash. Only then can the experience translate into creativity.
BALAJI
oil on canvas, 16 x 12 inches
I would rather be a spark of awareness in a dark universe,
than live in the reflected glory of a Supernova, however brilliant
its light may be.
BALAJI
oil on canvas, 16 x 12 inches
panel 39 & 4048 x 36 inches
panels 13,12,11 & 948 x 36 inches
Everywhere I lookI see the lightI feel his presenceIn every atomOf my body.
Everywhere I lookI see the lightI feel his presenceIn every atomOf my body.
PARSHURAMoil on gold leafed canvas, 32 x 22 inches
NARSIMHAoil on gold leafed canvas, 32 x 22 inches
I have a deep connection with Devi because as a child my mother used to take me along with her to a local Devi temple. These are fond memories of my childhood and I have painted the Navdurgas in fully saturated colours.
The nine Durgas are different manifestations
of the Devi & they have a corresponding rainbow
colour associated with that particular energy,
from Violet for the beginning to Pink for beauty. The rainbow
colours in this case are nine and not seven as
different cultures interpret the colours in
many different ways.
BRAHMCHARINIoil on canvas, 40 x 30 inches
SIDDHIDATRIoil on canvas, 40 x 30 inches
SKANDAMATAoil on canvas, 40 x 30 inches
KATYAYANIoil on canvas, 40 x 30 inches
KALARATRIoil on canvas, 40 x 30 inches
MAHAGAURIoil on canvas, 40 x 30 inches
SHAILPUTRIoil on canvas, 40 x 30 inches
CHANDRAGHANTAoil on canvas, 40 x 30 inches
HANUMANoil on canvas, 48 x 30 inches
SY
MB
IOS
ES
The other major breakthrough in my present works is the merging of the second and the third dimension, the flat and the round. This progression happened naturally and effortlessly. There was a Wow moment when this came about and thereafter it just flowed. My world is constantly merging and becoming one, I am doing away with dualities because I see no difference between sculpture and painting, ultimately it is the creative act that counts. I call these creations Sculpturepaintings as one word, not hyphenated, because life, time, space, eternity..are ONE.
BHIKSHATANAoil on canvas & sculptures in bronze, 72 x 42 inches
KALANTAKAoil on canvas and sculptures in copper, 72 x 42 inches
ALINGAoil on canvas and sculptures in copper, 72 x 42 inches
CHANDRASHEKHRAoil on canvas and sculptures in copper, 72 x 42 inches
ARDHNARESHVRAoil on canvas and sculptures in copper, 72 x 42 inches
Often,the desire to be one with the universe, moksha, conflicts with holding on to one's self in this physical body – which we mistakenly think is us.
Often, the desire to be one with the universe, moksha, conflicts with holding on to one's self in this physical body – which we mistakenly think is us.
BHAIRAVoil on canvas and sculptures in copper, 72 x 42 inches
GOVINDAoil on canvas and sculptures in copper, 72 x 42 inches
VISHNUoil on gold leafed canvas and sculptures in copper, 72 x 42inches
GANESHAoil on canvas and sculptures in bronze, 56 x 42 inches
LAKSHMIoil on copper leafed camvas and sculptures in copper, 72 x 42 inches
A simple stone covered in red sindoor paste placed in a makeshift temple on the roadside can emanate tremendous energy.The power of Hanuman or Bahubali grows manyfold by countless faithful worshipping it everyday.
A simple stone covered in red sindoor paste placed in a makeshift temple on the roadside can emanate tremendous energy.The power of Hanuman or Bahubali grows manyfold by countless faithful worshipping it everyday.
BAHUBALIoil on canvas and sculptures in copper, 60 x 42 inches
FOR
M
Dusting the cobwebs of my past, I came across a few gems...
Like the wildgrassjust sway with the windto experience a great liberation, a silent communion with the divine.
Guru Vyasa, the author ofMahabharata, requested
Ganesha to record the story ofthis epic for posterity . Lord
Ganesha agreed to thismonumental task but laid a
condition that Vyasa could notstop the narration. Ganesha sat
in a yogic posture, broke his righttooth to use as an instrument
and began to inscribe on the slatein his right hand. His other
hands have a snake/noose whichrepresents the ignorance which
binds us down and sweets whichhe is so fond of eating.
GANESHA - as the scribesculpture in copper, 10(h) x 8(w) x 8(d) feet
Garuda is sculpted with a bodythat displays immense strengthyet with extreme humility in thepresence of Laxmi and Narayan .He has his hands folded inreverence and has the wisdom tobe forever with Narayan.
Get to the core,not just the flesh butthe life breath –my works must breathewith the eternal,timeless spirit –they must laugh,cry, sing, scream,think, be alive, bealive to everythingaround them.
Get to the core,not just the flesh butthe life breath –my works must breathewith the eternal,timeless spirit –they must laugh,cry, sing, scream,think, be alive, bealive to everythingaround them.GARUDA: ETERNAL FLIGHT
sculpture in copper, (h) (w) (d)9 x 14 x 16 feet
Garuda is sculpted with a bodythat displays immense strengthyet with extreme humility in thepresence of Laxmi and Narayan .He has his hands folded inreverence and has the wisdom tobe forever with Narayan.
GARUDA: ETERNAL FLIGHTsculpture in copper, (h) (w) (d)9 x 14 x 16 feet
I have sculpted Garuda half manhalf bird in this spirit and in aposture of obeisance - kneelingand worshipping Vishnu as a partof a large installation.
WORSHIPPING GARUDAsculpture in copper, (h) (w) (d) 8 x 9 x 7 feet
Rudra-Shiva is, at once, theCreator, Destroyer and
Preserver of the universe.
He represents the pure,undifferentiated consciousness
and declares," I am pureconsciousness bliss and the self; I
am Shiva, Shiva alone am I."
Shiva the great lord revealshimself to Vishnu and Brahma,
who were fighting over theirbeing the creators and thereforethe supreme ones by appearingwithin a column of fire, whichhad no beginning and no-end.This expanding form stretchedout into the heavens and went
under the sea beyondthe bowels of the earth.
I wanted to capture the grandeurof the moment of this revelation.
RUDRA - SHIVAsculpture in copper, 13(h) x 9(w) x 9(d) feet
Shiva the great lord revealshimself to Vishnu and Brahma,
who were fighting over theirbeing the creators and thereforethe supreme ones by appearingwithin a column of fire, whichhad no beginning and no-end.This expanding form stretchedout into the heavens and went
under the sea beyondthe bowels of the earth.
I wanted to capture the grandeurof the moment of this revelation.
RUDRA - SHIVAsculpture in copper, 13(h) x 9(w) x 9(d) feet
Shiva the great lord revealshimself to Vishnu and Brahma,
who were fighting over theirbeing the creators and thereforethe supreme ones by appearingwithin a column of fire, whichhad no beginning and no-end.This expanding form stretchedout into the heavens and went
under the sea beyondthe bowels of the earth.
I wanted to capture the grandeurof the moment of this revelation.
RUDRA - SHIVAsculpture in copper, 13(h) x 9(w) x 9(d) feet
SHIVA-SHAKTI 12 x 9 x 15 feetsculpture in copper, (h) (w) (d)
AMARNATHsculpture in copper, (h) (w) (d)
BADRINATHsculpture in copper, 67(h) x 28(w) x 28(d) inches
KAIDARNATHsculpture in copper, 64(h) x 28(w) x 28(d) inches
62 x 28 x 28 inches
These three lingams are inspiredby the three jyotirlingams at
Amarnath, Badrinathand Kaidarnath,
the three sacred temples.
VISHNUsculpture in copper, 72(h) x 26(w) x 23(d) inches
MAHESHWARIsculpture in copper, 72(h) x 30(w) x 20(d) inches
SHIVA sculpture in copper, (h) (w) (d)82 x 30 x 20 inches
LAKSHMIsculpture in copper with silver & gold plating 73(h) x 20(w) x 20(d) inches,
Satish created a 13 feet high Surya sculpture in copper, for The Indira Gandhi airport at New Delhi, while his
monumental five piece metal sculpture ranging in height from 12 feet to 35 feet weighing over 10000 kilograms,
and inspired by the five primal elements, is located in the atrium at the Jindal Centre in New Delhi.
The artist's paintings encompass portraiture, landscape as well as abstract imagery. His colourful work in the series
'The Eyes of the Thar' and the accompanying book of the same title published by Mapin, are a collector's delight.
His other work including poetry, drawings and calligraphic writings, have also been widely published, translated
and commended and include his Zen book of haikus 'The Fugitive Moon' published in Catalan by Bromera, 'The
Broken Wave' a portfolio of charcoal drawings, 'Vibrations' and other work such as 'Transformation', 'I Am the
Dewdrop, I Am the Ocean', 'A Flower Does Not Talk' and 'Centering Awareness' that include sculptures, drawings,
calligraphies and reflections portraying cosmic consciousness. Satish gives lectures and has participated in
international camps, seminars and art events including three poetry festivals in Spain.
Satish was invited to create a lithograph as part of the official Beijing Olympic Portfolio as the only Indian artist,
amongst others international artists -Sandro Chia, Janis Kounellis and Mimmo Paladino.
Born in Delhi, Satish Gupta did his schooling from Modern school and trained as an artist at the College of Art in
the city followed by a study in graphics on a scholarship in Paris where he spent two formative years in the early
seventies working under French master etchers and artists, before returning home.
Known for their special meditative quality, Satish Gupta's art, that he creates working from his studio in Gurgaon
on the outskirts of Delhi surrounded by a Zen Garden of his own design, is held in important public and private
collections including the National Gallery of Modern Art in Delhi.
Gupta's sculptures, wall murals and
paintings are the signature works at the
newly inaugurated Leela Palace Hotel in
New Delhi. Satish's Utsav Murti of the
Goddess Devi for Sadhguru's ISHA
foundation in Coimbatore resides in the
main temple and is taken out in a
procession on full moon nights and
venerated.
A versatile artist, Satish Gupta is a painter, sculptor, poet, writer, printmaker, skilled draftsman, muralist, designer, calligrapher and ceramicist all in one. Winning the Sanskriti award at an early stage in his career, his work, honed through a deep engagement with mysticism and Zen spirit, has been exhibited in more than 33 solo shows at important art galleries within the country and abroad including those in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Calcutta, London, Paris, Altea, Murcia, Amsterdam, San Francisco, New York, Washington and Melbourne.
[email protected] www.satishgupta.com
www.galleryartnsoul.com
CO-ORDINATIONsimran raj
PROCESSING & PRINTING
imperial graphicsDESIGN
pavan java
PHOTOGRAPHY
amit pasricha, raj salhotra & amita gupta