Yogesh Ramkrishna’s ‘Ulatbansi’ at LATITUDE 28

Bhavna Kakkar Presents Ulatbansi A solo show by Yogesh Ramkrishna

LATITUDE 28 is thrilled to announce the opening of ‘Ulatbansi’, a solo exhibition by Yogesh Ramkrishna. The show will preview on Friday, 31st January 2025, at the gallery’s space in Lado Sarai, New Delhi, and will remain open until 15th March 2025. Visitors can explore the exhibition from Monday to Saturday. 

As part of the India Art Fair Lado Sarai Art Nite, a special evening event will be held on 5th February 2025, from 4 PM to 7 PM, adding a celebratory dimension to the exhibition’s run.

Immersive Art with Powerful Symbolism

Titled ‘Ulatbansi’, the exhibition takes its name from the poetic tradition associated with Kabir and other Bhakti poets. Rooted in saandhya-bhaasha, or “twilight language,” the title reflects the use of metaphors, paradoxes, contradictions, and inversions. It offers a succinct insight into Yogesh’s practice, which delves into the paradoxical aspects of society and presents them with an evocative blend of satire, drama, and dark humour. The scenography for the exhibition and the accompanying catalogue essay have been developed by curator Satyajit Dave, adding an intellectual depth to the show.

Yogesh Ramkrishna’s practice is a fascinating intersection of reality and artistic construction, creating a metaphorical theatre that reflects the complexities of modern life in the era of ‘The Hyperreal’. His work investigates a world where simulated and fabricated realities, such as media constructs, virtual environments, and curated social media personas, appear more real than reality itself. These fabricated perceptions influence socio-political structures, heighten religious insecurities, and manipulate personal and collective identities. Yogesh’s art captures this dissonance with a bold, thought-provoking approach.

Fusing Drama, Satire, and Cultural Narratives

Drawing inspiration from Marathi theatre and the rich cultural narratives of Pune, Yogesh skillfully combines drama, satire, and dark comedy to create works that resonate deeply with contemporary audiences. By blending mythology, history, and present-day experiences, he offers fresh perspectives on the complexities of human life. In series such as Dreams for the Blind Eyes, he critiques the empty promises of power structures, while One Man Protest is Protest of All transforms individual acts of defiance into symbols of collective strength. In Yoga for Survival, he invents poignant yoga poses that embody human responses to crises, all against the backdrop of India’s socio-political landscape.

Yogesh’s choice of mediums—ranging from gouache paintings to sculptural props and interactive objects—adds a tactile and immersive dimension to his work. Through deliberate “glitches,” symbolic of systemic errors, he highlights how society molds individuals into tools of its machinery. His ongoing projects, such as Post-Truth Creatures/Carriers and Theater of Distraction, deepen this exploration, creating a space where personal stories intersect with larger socio-political commentary.

‘Ulatbansi’ is not merely an art exhibition—it is a stage where viewers are invited to confront their realities, question their roles, and challenge the narratives they have been conditioned to accept. Yogesh Ramkrishna’s work serves as both a mirror and a call to action, urging audiences to reimagine their place within the ever-shifting theatre of life.

According to Bhavna Kakkar, founder and director of LATITUDE 28, “Yogesh’s work provides a sharp critique of the era of virtual reality. His artwork investigates how media, virtual worlds, and curated identities have become so entrenched in our lives that they often feel more real than reality. Such a phenomenon has a significant impact on our perception of overarching systems, from power dynamics to identity politics and the socio-political forces that shape our behaviours and beliefs”.

About the Artist 

Born in 1991 in Vadodara, Gujarat, Yogesh Ramkrishna is a contemporary visual artist whose work explores the socio-political tensions, cultural propaganda, and evolving identities of the post-truth era. A graduate of Sir J.J. School of Arts with a Master’s in Visual Arts from M.S. University of Baroda, Yogesh’s art navigates the friction between traditional Indian beliefs and the modern urban lifestyle, often drawing on themes amplified during the pandemic. His visually striking pieces are dramatic, comic-like, and mythically charged.

Recent exhibitions include Thunk Lagana Mana Hai at Monalisa Art Gallery, Pune (2024), India Art Fair with LATITUDE 28, New Delhi (2024–22), and Delhi Contemporary Art Week at Bikaner House (2023–21). He has also participated in residencies such as the Black Church Print Studio in collaboration with the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin (2019). Yogesh’s work continues to provoke thought and engage audiences through its bold and dynamic storytelling.

About LATITUDE 28

Since 2010, LATITUDE 28 has probed into a gallery practice that is lateral, disruptive and avant-garde. The gallery focuses on experimentation with medium and material fostering critical dialogue, perspective and practices by writers, critics and researchers alike. Their ideas have been generated through innovative curatorial projects located on the cusp of art history and socio-political context through site-specific artworks and artist talks. 

LATITUDE 28’s vision is shaped by its Founder/Director, Bhavna Kakar, who is also the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of TAKE on Art – South Asia’s leading contemporary art publication.

Featured Image Credit- LATITUDE 28