Details
THUKRAL AND TAGRA
(JITEN THUKRAL, B. 1976; SUMIR TAGRA, B. 1979)
Somnium genero-incitatio
signed twice, titled, inscribed and dated 'Thukral & Tagra Somnium Genero-Incitatio acrylic, oil canvas 6 x 12 - diptych (6x6) + (6x6) painted in 2007 May' in English (left panel); signed 'Thukral & Tagra Somnium Genero-Incitatio' (right panel)
acrylic, oil on canvas, diptych
183 x 183 cm. (72 x 72 in.) x 2 pieces
overall: 183 x 366 cm. (72 x 144 in.)
Painted in 2007
Provenance
Gallery Nature Morte, New Delhi, India
Christie's Hong Kong, 25 May 2008, Lot 386
Acquired from the above by the present owner

Brought to you by

Felix Yip
Felix Yip

Lot Essay

Collaborative artists Jiten Thukral and Sumir Tagra, address current issues in urban India through a wide variety of stylistic devices and media. Drawing from pop culture, history and street life, Thukral and Tagra combine their respective backgrounds in art history and graphic design to create a body of work which incorporates video, sculpture, installation and musical elements.

In this work (Lot 1416), the artistic duo plays with ideas of photorealism and Surrealism. Through a strict adherence to naturalism and scrupulous attention to detail and shadow, Thukral and Tagra create a virtual reality on their canvases. Intimations of the extraordinary surface frequently in their works and upon closer inspection, this scene is quickly subverted by their inclusion of elements and odd details which could never exist in reality. The work implies the color scheme of a cloud strewn sky, oddly filled with various media, recording devices and home appliances while also suggesting the repetition and pattern of wallpaper. Melding space age designs with elements from outdated appliances and vintage TVs, the whimsical painting combines the nostalgic and the cutting edge. "The works are playful as they reflect our selves. We love making things in unusual forms. Aesthetics and semiotics are carefully juxtaposed, and they leave you with many thoughts". (in conversation with the artists)

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