The magic of humor and social critique came alive at Satirical Symphony, a solo show by A. Rajeswara Rao, held at the Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, from September 12 to 18, 2024. Curated by Annapurna M. and Kiran K. Mohan, the exhibition invited art enthusiasts to step into Rao’s satirical world, where every piece challenged perceptions and offered fresh perspectives on society. The show was a delightful journey through multi-layered compositions that echoed the viewers’ own dreams, fantasies, and everyday realities.
The inauguration saw celebrated Indian photographer Atul Kasbekar as the Guest of Honour, adding a touch of stardom to the evening.
Rao’s technique of reverse painting on acrylic sheets created a captivating interplay of dimensions, inviting the audience to reflect on deeper themes. His work captured the psychological desires of ordinary people, depicting their everyday lives and ambitions in a way that sparked conversations among art lovers and critics alike. Speaking about his inspiration, Rao shared an amusing story from his time in a village near his studio. “I noticed how the arrival of an industrial group transformed the lives of the villagers. Overnight, they went from walking to their fields in poverty to riding motorbikes and wearing leggings and sunglasses. It’s funny because they’re imitating higher society, and that contrast always makes me laugh,” Rao reflected.
The show attracted an array of distinguished guests, including writer Aman Nath, actor Nitin Arora, artist Chippa Sudhkar, golf player Neelam Pratap Rudy, artist Simran KS Lamba, Manoj Arora, Japanese artist Yuriko Lochan, former NGMA director Rajeev Lochan, Deepa Gopinath, Manisha Bhatia, fashion designer Preeti Ghai, and many others. It was a truly unforgettable evening, where art, humor, and critique seamlessly blended to create an engaging and thought-provoking experience.
Uday Jain, Director of Dhoomimal Gallery, “The proficient and exaggerated use of satire in A. Rajeswara Rao’s works leaves a great impression on the viewers. In a world where everyone is busy painting pretty pictures to match trends, Rao’s frankness, boldness, and experimentation in subject or technique is unique and enlivening. We are honoured to display the Satirical Symphony series that is characterised by robust imagery, striking color palettes and the deliberate choice of everyday situations involving mundane characters.”
Saurabh Singhvi, Director of Art Maganum, “As a dedicated artist, Rajeswara Rao’s unique style and approach to satire creates a wholesome experience for his audience. His exceptional talent for transforming his observations of people and their behaviors into a surreal world that is both magnificent and eccentric makes his art even more impressive and fascinating. With the Satirical Symphony in New Delhi, hope to instill humor and great experience in your sensitivities.”
Event Details
Special Preview: September 12, 2024 (5:30 PM onwards)
Exhibition Dates: September 13 – 18, 2024
Exhibition Time: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Exhibition Venue: Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre, Lodi Road, New Delhi – 110003
The show will continue at Art Magnum Gallery from September 21, 2024 to October 20, 2024.
About the Artist: Born in 1960, in Vizaingaram, A. Rajeswara Rao, an esteemed senior artist, poet, sculptor, and art guru, was inspired by his father, Paidi Raju. His work is influenced by his father’s teachings and his own identity. Graduating from Andhra University and further gaining insights from Hyderabad Central University, he studied life and desire themes, capturing the raw essence of human existence.He believes in the importance of “sit and think” for artist growth and stability. His paintings blend familiar and fantastical elements, incorporating characters from the silver screen, regal kings, and elaborately adorned women. Having participated in several solo and group shows, of which the most recent include those held at ‘The Deccan Connections’ at Apparao Art Gallery, New Delhi, in 2002; ‘The Human Factor’ at the Guild Gallery, Mumbai, in 2001; and ‘Human Form and Art’ at Lalit Kala Akademi, in 2000, Rao’s each brushstroke on the transparent surface reveals his mastery, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary.
