Contemporary artist Sudarshan Shetty has become the first artist from India to be commissioned for the Rolls-Royce Art Programme, aimed at enabling artists from across the world to realise new projects and to explore new areas of their practice.
Inspired by a South Indian folk tale, Shetty has created for the programme a two-channel film, and two sculptures, that is slated to be presented here on November 5 this year, a spokesperson for the Rolls-Royce Art Programme said.
The new work would be presented alongside the artist's existing 'Flying Bus' public art project at the Maker Maxity in Bandra-Kurla Complex, before it moves to Delhi later.
Shetty, who is the Artistic Director of the third edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale set for opening this December, is acclaimed for his artistic practice, which includes enigmatic sculptural installations that reflect on urban contemporary life.
"The new commission will take inspiration from a popular South Indian folk tale that is an allegory for artistic expression and the importance of creativity.
"Two structures will represent the home and public space featured in the story, whilst the film will depict the tale of a husband and wife, at a moment when the wife envisions a story and a song from her breath whilst sleeping," a spokesperson said.
The sculptures would represent key moments in the tale and and shown across two screens, the film aims to convey a sense of unfolding time whilst exploring the narrative as it comes into the world through language and music.
"Sudarshan Shetty has been recognised as one of the most innovative artists in India for his generation. I am delighted to welcome Sudarshan to the Rolls-Royce Art Programme.
"He is an artist whose work reflects our own striving for perfection. India is an important part of Rolls-Royce's heritage and it gives us great pleasure that Sudarshan will weave Rolls-Royce into the thriving Indian arts scene," Torsten Muller-Otvos, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said.
The Mumbai-based artist had presented an Art Talk in
Sydney to coincide with the 20th Biennale of Sydney in March 2016 for the Rolls-Royce Art Programme and earlier this year he visited Rolls-Royce in West Sussex, UK to observe the marque's artisanal craftspeople.
"Rolls-Royce is, for me, a model of craftsmanship and technological advancement. It is a matter of privilege and also a challenge to create a new commission for Rolls-Royce and to be able to try to match its high standards," Shetty said.
"Through this new commission, I am seeking to find a meeting point between the innovation of Rolls-Royce and my own imagination as an artist," he said.
Shetty joins Emirati artist Mohammed Kazem as a member of the Rolls-Royce Art Programme for 2016.
Kazem has been commissioned to create a sculpture for the programme which will be presented late this year alongside a bespoke motor car that has been inspired by the new work.
Launched in 2012, the automaker's Art Programme comprises new works commissioned in situ, partnerships with leading organisations, art talks with emerging and established artists, art drives, art walks and art receptions around the world.
Previous artists collaborating with the programme include Isaac Julien, Ana Maria Tavares, Morgan Wong, Carlos Rolon/Dzine, Angela Bulloch, Ugo Rondinone, Michael Zavros, Regina Silveira and Will Cotton.
