27 Feb 2024 - 16 Mar 2024

I Was Born A Poet…

Volte Masters

Details

Volte Art Projects announces the launch of Volte Masters, a new modern art space set within the 743-square meter gallery in Alserkal Avenue, Dubai on 27 February. This marks a significant development for the gallery, which has established itself as a dynamic contemporary art space staging large-scale installations and exhibitions by internationally acclaimed artists. 

The focus of Volte Masters will be to showcase international modern masters and create new art historical dialogues around their work. The space will open with I Was Born A Poet… an inaugural, rare showcase of paintings and drawings by Manjit Bawa (1941-2008), a major painter in 20th-century Indian figuration. The exhibition will run until 30 April, with further presentations of seminal Indian and international artists planned for the coming year. 

A modern master of the figurative genre, Manjit Bawa (1941-2008) emphasised the expressive nature of painting. Inspired by India’s spirit, music, literature, and poetry, his renowned body of work explored the duality of human-animal relationships, drawing from childhood memories and iconic myths. 

Bawa lived and worked in New Delhi, where he passed away. His last solo shows were at the Nehru Centre, London and in other galleries in UK, 2005; New Delhi, in 2005, Mumbai, Hong Kong, in 2002; and New York, in 2000. His works featured in notable group shows at institutions such as the Centre for International Modern Art (CIMA); the Royal Academy, London; and Hirshhorn Museum, Washington DC. 

Press release from Volte Art Projects

Image: Manjit Bawa. Sufi Saint. 2003. Oil on canvas. 139.7 x 116.078 cm. Image courtesy of Volte Art Projects