Presenting a solo exhibition by Kisalay Vora, a multi-disciplinary artist who has accumulated a strong body of work through many years of self-exploration and experimentation. Beginning with technique driven work that was obvious in its craftsmanship, it took him years to come to a point of pure surrender to his intuition. An act of courage for any artist. Today Vora finds himself in a space of deeper acknowledgement and peace with his art, depicting themes that are fluid and honest to his mature perspective. This show brings together some universal and fundamental concepts that have stayed with him through his evolution. It consists of a variety of works of mixed media but remains minimal in the overarching essence communicated. Standing today, as he is, at the point of hindsight, Vora has identified 6 series that he believes are his most powerful:

1. From the Reservoir of Subliminal Occurrings

2. My Cortisols Are Your Endorphins

3. Second Chance

4. Soliloquy

5. The Mysterious Strength Of Anthropomorphism

6. Choodiyaan

Despite the show covering such a large range of practice, it has, tied at its core, the curiosity of the artist not only about the external world he works in but also the internal world that works upon him. He is aware of the simultaneous influence of these two worlds especially on our relationships. This awareness makes it natural for him to connect with others. In his words, “I’ve always been drawn to people. I could be watching a party going on from a distance, a gathering of silhouettes in a lighted window across a river. Or then again, I could be involved in a more personal, immediate way. Their energy, their celebrations are a source of endless inspiration and joy for me. And this joy is something I actively chase in my life. Sooner or later, the people I meet and interact with, become a part of my canvas.”

He keenly observes the tendencies, beliefs and traditions of people and then goes on to inquire about the roots of these thought processes. However, while he is thoroughly engaged in these social connections and the intellectual stimulation it provides, the final resulting work is meant to be experienced in a state of ‘no-mind’, mimicking his own state whilst in the process of creation. Keeping to the idea of instinct, the artist wishes to attach no strands of thought to his art, often keeping it untitled and unexplained and making space for the viewer’s subjective experience. This collecting and de-constructing of social information is what makes his art truly reflective.

In terms of technique, Vora explores multiple mediums and even innovates new ones that fit his vision of storytelling. He builds a bridge at the intersection of installation, sculpture, painting - all art forms that have conventionally been treated as different from one another. Using material that is observed every day but rarely thought of as relevant beyond its functionality such as the repeated pin and thread and paper scrap on his canvases, he questions the idea of labels. In this way he aims to revive those neglected items that have always surrounded the artist in his studio. There is a subtle energetic connect even with the inanimate, which Vora believes still contains the human spirit through association. In this manner, a deep spirituality underlies every endeavour he undertakes.

The title of the show reflects this simplicity he has found in his being, and he elaborates, “my works are a response to what I experience while travelling to my studio and back. Sometimes I introspect, reflect, enquire or document my experiences on this journey. In order to communicate those feelings to the optimum with my viewers, I use various styles, techniques, mediums and materials. This practice eventually converts into multiple cohesive series giving precedence to one over another and sometimes overlapping perspectives.” It seems despite the miles he has covered in his art practice, the artist is less concerned about any superficial destination to arrive at, and remains satisfied with the beautiful journey.

Sanjana Shah, Curator/ Creative Director