Who is Neeraj Gupta?
Art means nothing without context. It is rare to come across an artist who exudes themselves via their creation. Neeraj Gupta is one of those artists. A sculptor by profession, he was born in 1969. A student of architecture and design, he quickly applied this knowledge to sculpting, thereby producing unique carvings.
Whether it is stone, metal, wood, marble, or even white cement, Gupta has worked with them all. In 1990, he established ‘Incredible Sculptures’, showcasing his best work to his audiences. He is also the founder and President of the Delhi Art Society.
Honours and Awards
Neeraj Gupta has made a splash across the world with his mesmerising sculptures. He has hosted numerous solo shows and exhibitions. For his intense and immense contribution, he has won the following honours.
- In 2004, he received the Sahitya Kala Parishad Award.
- In 2017, he won second place at the Florence Biennale, becoming the first Indian artist to do so.
- He won third place at the 2020 International Art & Design Competition.
Sculpture Collections
Through his sculptures, Neeraj Gupta remembers the past, opinionated the present, and foreshadowed the future. He imbues the rich Indian culture and his personal views into his artwork. Although he has constructed a multitude of pieces, some of his collections remain a global favourite.
Folk Strangers
The ‘Folk Strangers’ collection comprises several distorted heads. It represents the tussle between perceived reality and the mind’s creativity. Neeraj Gupta uses pigmented cement and carves it to glorify modern-day anxieties. With this collection, he forays into absurd and rather grotesque territories. These sculptures signify the inner turmoil and the spectrum of human emotions. Although some are pure fantasy, others are a nod to Gupta’s inner darkness.
The Immortal Moment
Neeraj Gupta works with wood to put forth an enchanting collection aptly titled ‘The Immortal Moment’. He follows the intricacies of Indian aesthetics, taking into account the form, symmetry, rasa, and bhava. He imparts a modern twist to these sculptures by reorganizing their orientation. Seldom, one may see the intertwining duality of the divine effigies.
Charter of Heavens
Yantras are geometrical diagrams that represent a being’s connection to the cosmos. According to Indian theology, the spirit and body must always resonate for a fulfilling and satisfied existence. The precision of these yantras depicts the same and is essential to trace them. Neeraj Gupta’s collection of yantras, called ‘Charter of Heavens’, propels the cosmic concept in front of his audience’s purview. He carved these yantras on wood and used nails to represent the lines and confines of the planetary influence.
Photo Courtesy – The Economic Times
Tradition of Durga Idol Making: A Cultural Odyssey from Kumartuli to Guwahati
