Visitors arriving at the 17th India Art Fair at Delhi’s NSIC Okhla Grounds were first met with an expansive board displaying the names of participating galleries, restaurants, and bars. However, a more understated installation captured attention on their left. At first sight, the scattered debris appeared to be a simple arrangement of rubble. Upon closer inspection, it revealed a deeper message of regeneration, showcasing sapling sculptures sprouting from the rubble.
Art Reflects Memories of Displacement
The installation echoed the scene observed years ago in Sarojini Nagar, where residential areas were demolished for new developments. Many families had memories tied to those homes, which now lay in ruins. Amidst the chaos of broken structures, nature began to reclaim the space, illustrating resilience through new growth. The art installation resonated with that experience, leading viewers to consider loss and renewal.
Girjesh Kumar Singh’s Brick Sculptures Make a Strong Impression
As attendees delved deeper into the fair, they encountered Girjesh Kumar Singh’s unique brick sculptures at the F01 booth. Singh salvages bricks from demolished homes, transforming them into art pieces that serve both as a medium and a metaphor for the transient nature of living spaces. His exhibition, titled “Haal Mukaam: Current Address,” urged visitors to contemplate the meaning of home and the impermanence of addresses.
Depictions of Human Transience in Art
The exhibition featured life-size sculptures of individuals in movement, carrying bags that symbolise their pasts. One significant piece showed a meticulously crafted elderly man made of bricks, seated on a brick chair, holding bags tightly. Another sculpture depicted an older man standing with bags in both hands. These artworks invite reflections on the emotional baggage of leaving homes behind, whether through choice or necessity.
Art Speaks to Universal Experiences of Change
Each piece is titled “In Transit,” symbolising the journey of life and the ephemerality of physical locations. The bricks from demolished constructions serve as reminders of our collective histories and personal narratives. Singh’s works resonate deeply in a time marked by migration and displacement, as many individuals navigate their own stories of lost homes.
Singh’s Background and Artistic Inspirations
Born in Semra, Uttar Pradesh, Singh pursued liberal arts in Allahabad and Varanasi, later earning his Master’s degree in Baroda, where he currently resides. His art often delves into themes of identity, migration, and displacement, reflecting his own experiences of leaving various places behind. In a broader context, these themes resonate with many, especially in a diverse city like Delhi, known for its influx of people seeking new opportunities.
Innovative Artwork Beyond Bricks
Singh’s sculptures were not the only innovative works at the India Art Fair. Artists across the venue utilised unconventional materials to convey powerful messages. From a bralette fitted with blades to installations crafted from safety pins and wooden toys, creativity was abundant. Notable pieces included artworks made from Diwali firecrackers and a chandelier designed using Channapatna toy pieces, all contributing to an environment rich in nostalgia and storytelling.
