Mike Kelley, a pivotal period of contemporary Indian art, Raoul Dufy and Berthe Weill
Oct 3, 2024
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Catherine Wood, co-curator of the Mike Kelley exhibition at Tate Modern, delves into Kelley's complex engagement with American culture, addressing themes like identity and trauma. Shanay Jhaveri reviews the influences and cultural shifts in contemporary Indian art from 1975 to 1998, spotlighting artists navigating queerness and societal norms. Lynn Gumpert discusses Berthe Weill's pioneering role as a gallerist, celebrating her connection to Raoul Dufy’s iconic work. The episode is a rich exploration of art’s ability to reflect and challenge societal narratives.
Mike Kelley's exhibition at Tate Modern highlights his exploration of American culture through absurdity and pop art, engaging viewers with critical societal themes.
The 'Imaginary Institution of India' showcases pivotal transformations in Indian art between 1975 and 1998, reflecting the cultural struggles during significant political upheaval.
Berthe Vey's pioneering role as an art gallerist significantly influenced the careers of emerging artists such as Picasso, marking her legacy in the avant-garde.
Deep dives
Mike Kelly's Impact on American Culture
Mike Kelly's artwork demonstrates a deep exploration of the complex layers within American culture, often reflecting themes of dark pop art. He utilized various media, including drawings, collages, videos, and installations to interrogate the relationships between society and the individual within a capitalist framework. His oeuvre embodies a dissection of mainstream cultural narratives, employing colorful and engaging elements that entice viewers while simultaneously challenging them to confront uncomfortable truths about societal structures. The exhibition 'Mike Kelly, Ghost and Spirit' at Tate Modern showcases these themes, illustrating Kelly's gift for blending humor and critical inquiry to unsettle and engage audiences.
The Evolution of Indian Art
The exhibition titled 'The Imaginary Institution of India' examines the transformative decades of Indian art from 1975 to 1998, a period marked by significant political and social upheaval. Curated to showcase the work of 30 artists, it encapsulates the struggles and aspirations of a nation grappling with identity amidst rapid changes, including the Emergency and subsequent nuclear tests. These artistic responses reveal a rich tapestry of voices and narratives that highlight the diversity and plurality inherent in India's cultural landscape during these pivotal years. Artists employ both traditional and contemporary forms, revealing their engagement with historical, personal, and broader national narratives.
Berthe Vey: A Trailblazing Art Dealer
Berthe Vey stands out as a pioneering figure in the art world, being one of the very first gallerists to exclusively champion emerging artists in the early 20th century. Her gallery became a crucial platform for artists like Pablo Picasso, and her dedication to nurturing talent set a precedent for contemporary commercial art spaces. Vey's career spanned over four decades, during which she maintained a passion for supporting artists despite facing significant financial challenges. The exhibition 'Make Way for Berthe Vey' at the Grey Art Museum brings attention to her legacy, showcasing her influence and contributions to the avant-garde movements in Paris.
Exploring Queerness in Indian Art
The exhibition analyzes how contemporary Indian artists approach themes of queerness and identity, particularly within a socio-political landscape that has historically marginalized LGBTQ voices. Artists such as Sunil Gupta and Bhupen Khakhar address issues of representation and community, using their work to explore desire, identity, and belonging amidst societal pressures. Gupta’s constructed photographs and Khakhar’s intimate paintings underscore the struggles for visibility and recognition while also celebrating moments of intimacy and connection. By intertwining themes of support and recognition, their works emphasize the importance of queer narratives within the broader context of Indian art history.
The Cultural and Political Landscape of India (1975-1998)
The years between 1975 and 1998 encapsulate a tumultuous time in India, characterized by significant shifts in political and social landscapes that artists sought to navigate through their work. The exhibition 'The Imaginary Institution of India' casts a spotlight on how artists responded to events like the Emergency and the growing unrest regarding identity in an evolving nation. These works not only reflect personal experiences but also articulate the collective sentiments of a society grappling with disillusionment and change, showcasing a range of artistic practices from painting to installation. By engaging with the past, these artists question the narratives of progress and their implications for future generations.
This week: a huge survey of the work of the late linchpin of the Los Angeles contemporary scene Mike Kelley has arrived at Tate Modern in London. We speak to its co-curator Catherine Wood about this enormously influential artist and his visceral and absurd response to popular culture and folk traditions of the US. A major show of Indian art made between 1975 and 1998, a pivotal period of political, social and economic change in the country, opened this week at the Barbican Art Gallery in London. Shanay Jhaveri, a former curator of international art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York who is now head of visual arts at the Barbican, leads us in a tour of show. And this episode’s Work of the Week is Raoul Dufy’s Thirty Years or La Vie en Rose (1931), a painting made originally for the 30th anniversary of a gallery in Paris, that was owned by the pioneering woman gallerist Berthe Weill. She is the subject of an exhibition at the Grey Art Museum at New York University, which will tour next year to Montreal and Paris. Lynn Gumpert, the co-curator of the show and director of the Grey Art Museum, tells us about the painting, the artist and the dealer.
Mike Kelley: Ghost and Spirit, Tate Modern, London, until 9 March 2025; Mike Kelley: Ghost and Spirit; Moderna Museet, Stockholm, 12 April-15 September 2025.
The Imaginary Institution of India: Art 1975–1998, Barbican Art Gallery, London, 5 October-5 January 2025; and you can hear an in-depth interview with Nalini Malani on A brush with…, that’s the episode from 21 February this year.
Make Way for Berthe Weill: Art Dealer of the Parisian Avant-Garde, Grey Art Museum, New York, until 1 March; Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, 10 May-7 September 2025; Musée de l’Orangerie, Paris, 8 October 2025-25 January 2026.
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