PRESENT PERFECT | PRESENT CONTINUOUS Stories of Being and Becoming

"Present Perfect | Present Continuous: Stories of Being and Becoming" challenges conventional notions of painting, presenting it not merely as a visual medium but as a profound space for intellectual and sensory engagement. Each canvas becomes a site of inquiry where the boundaries between reality and imagination blur, inviting viewers to grapple with questions of existence, perception, and the spaces we inhabit. 

The artists in this collection approach painting as a form of philosophical investigation. Their works are informed by thinkers like Gaston Bachelard and Hegel, who argue that space is not neutral but charged with meaning and memory. Each work interrogates existence itself, using the visual language of painting to delve into the tensions and harmonies of life. 

Each work delves into the dualities of being and becoming—stability and change, presence and absence, reality and imagination. The artists approach painting not merely as an act of representation but as an ongoing dialogue with time and space. In this interplay, the canvas becomes a threshold where memory meets possibility, capturing fleeting moments while gesturing toward a continuous becoming. 

Nikesh Ola, recipient of the inaugural Art Centrix Painting Grant 2024, and Debjyoti Das, an exceptional talent discovered through the same program, come together in this exhibition to showcase the versatility and depth of contemporary painting. Their works, selected for their groundbreaking approaches, demonstrate a seamless fusion of traditional techniques and modern sensibilities, redefining the boundaries of painterly expression. 

Landscapes in this exhibition reflect the passage of time, evoking the tension between permanence and impermanence. Vast horizons and layered textures create immersive scenes that speak to our deep connection with the natural world while reminding us of its transient beauty. These works transform landscapes into spaces of introspection, challenging us to locate ourselves within the rhythm of nature and the flow of time. 

Cityscapes, by contrast, focus on the immediacy of life within urban spaces. Locker rooms, corridors, and theatres—spaces that might otherwise go unnoticed—are transformed into arenas of interaction and introspection. The quiet vibrancy of these scenes reveals the intricate balance between isolation and connection. These spaces become metaphors for the complexities of urban existence, capturing the layers of collective memory and individual experience embedded within their walls. The artists treat the canvas as a living document—a record of thought and process that challenges viewers to reconsider how they perceive and inhabit space, both external and internal. 

The exhibition celebrates painting as a process of critical inquiry and transformation. These works invite viewers to reflect on their journeys of being and becoming, offering a profound meditation on the intersections of time, space, and identity. 

Essay by Prayag Chakradhar