New Delhi, Oct 18 (PTI) Around 50 works by contemporary artist Asit Kumar Patnaik, spanning three decades of his artistic practice, are on display here at his solo retrospective, “Continuum: A 30-Year Retrospective”.
Curated by Shibani Chawla, the exhibition is being held at Bikaner House, and will move to Chawla Art Gallery, Saket, from October 19, where it will continue until November 14.
The exhibition features works created between 1995 and 2026, including paintings, works on paper, sketches, drawings, watercolours, landscapes, abstract compositions and graphic prints, alongside previously unseen works.
The retrospective traces Patnaik’s artistic evolution, highlighting his experimentation with materials such as wood, fibreglass, paper collage, threads and canvas, with texture emerging as a defining element of his visual language.
Known for his semi-realistic figurative style, Patnaik explores human relationships, emotional complexities and companionship through his celebrated “Man-Woman” series. His works examine love, attraction, conflict, attachment and detachment, often bringing memories of the past into dialogue with present-day experiences.
The exhibition also explores women’s empowerment, with recurring red hues in women’s hair symbolising vitality, inner strength and allure.
Women emerge as confident, resilient figures who transcend age and social boundaries, while male figures are often portrayed with sensitivity and humility, creating a visual dialogue centred on mutual respect and emotional connection.
“Our association with Asit Kumar Patnaik spans nearly three decades, giving us the privilege of witnessing the remarkable evolution of his artistic practice,” Chawla said in a statement.
His visual language had grown in confidence, complexity and maturity while remaining rooted in its essential philosophy, she said, adding that the retrospective offered an opportunity to experience the depth and continuity of his artistic vision.
Patnaik said the works reflected a continuous process of learning, experimentation and evolution, from sketches and drawings made during his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts years to his recent paintings.
“From my early years in Cuttack and Banaras to developing my practice in Delhi, my surroundings and experiences have continually influenced the way I work.
“While my mediums and visual language have evolved, my curiosity and desire to explore have remained constant. ‘Continuum’ brings together different stages of this journey, allowing me to reflect on how far I have come while remaining open to what lies ahead,” he added.
A gold medallist in painting from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Patnaik has exhibited extensively in India and abroad. In 2024, he received the ‘Best Solo Exhibitor Award’ at Art Expo New York. PTI MG MG
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