AstaGuru’s upcoming offering is geared to be India’s largest Contemporary art auction titled, ‘Present Future’ slated to take place on the 28th - 29th September 2021. The auction showcases work by India’s most revered, as well as dynamic & innovative Contemporary artists. The catalogue includes an eclectic range of creations executed in diverse media forms, ranging from paintings, drawings, sculptures, and installations. With artworks by artists such as Bharti Kher, Anju Dodiya, Atul Dodiya, Ranbir Singh Kaleka, Mrinalini Mukherjee, Thukral & Tagra, Jitish Kallat, L N Tallur, Jagannath Panda, Rana Begum, Suryakant Lokhande, Asim Waqif, and many more; the presented 120 lots are bound to appeal to both seasoned collectors and young art connoisseurs.

A sizeable quantum of works will especially engage the seasoned collectors, who intend to acquire historically significant contemporary artworks, in order to instil a sense of continuity, in terms of the chronology, in co-relation with their respective modern collections. For instance, lot no. 103, an oil & beeswax on canvas creation by Atul Dodiya executed in the year 1984 & lot no. 8 by Anju Dodiya, titled ‘Hauberk’. While, Atul Dodiya’s work emanates a distinct sense of vintage; Anju Dodiya’s, double-panelled work was a part of the artist's seminal 2007 solo exhibition ‘Throne Of Frost’ that took place at the Durbar Hall of the Lakshmi Vilas Palace in Baroda.

Leading the sale is lot no. 86, a work by Bharti Kher titled ‘An Eye, A Tooth’. The diptych work executed with contrasting black and red bindis is an iconic creation from the artist’s oeuvre. The presented lot was executed in the year 2011 was also a part of Bharti Kher’s solo exhibition ‘Leave Your Smell,’ which took place at Galerie Perrotin, Paris.

Lot no. 48, executed in 1990-1991 by Ravinder Reddy is a graceful head creation. Attributed with sharp penetrating eyes the presented lot is a recurring motif in Ravinder Reddy’s body of work. Furthermore, a ceramic sculpture by Mrinalini Mukherjee created circa 1996, while she was at the European Ceramic Work Centre in the Netherlands will be presented during the auction.

With regards to innovation and sleek creations, works by artists such as Rana Begum - lot no. 113, a wall-mounted creation, titled ‘No. 499’ at once provides a visual and a spatial experience to the viewer. Executed with lacquer on steel, the artwork showcases the artist’s exploration of space, light, and architectural forms. Valay Shende’s, stainless steel discs creation of a Bull Head (lot no. 3) gleams with virtuosity, while Suryakant Lokhande’s high gloss oil on canvas creations (lot nos. 4, 88 & 98) instils a sense of vibrancy to its surroundings owing to its pop-neon colour compositions.

L N Tallur’s sculpture – lot no. 56, titled ‘Intolerance,’ will also be offered at the auction and so will two sculptures by Dhananjay Singh (lot nos. 5 & 53), executed in his signature style incorporating bronze and stainless steel wire. Works by other innovative artists include lot no. 81 by Krishnaraj Chonat titled - Private Sky, executed with steel, fibreglass, fake fur, automotive paint & plastic; lot no. 117 by Asim Waqif, titled - Collapse Analysis: Idlib (Ed: Unique), executed with aluminium composite panel worked on with a CNC router, folded by hand and mounted on a bonnet from a Chevrolet Optra, and many more.

Aptly titled ‘Present Future’ the artworks presented during the auction are by India’s most exemplary, as well as experimental contemporary artists, their creations without a doubt chronicle the present trends and give an insight into the making of the future of contemporary art, and most importantly has been curated in order to ensure that there is a unique offering for all discerning collectors.

The author is Contemporary Indian Art- Senior Specialist, AstaGuru