Art Alive Gallery brings to you Thota Vaikuntam: Redefining the Cultural Gaze, a solo show of the legendary master artist. This exhibition will attempt to re-look at the journey of Vaikuntam from humble beginnings in a small village of Andhra Pradesh to becoming one of the most prominent artists in the Indian subcontinent by tracing the trajectory of his art. Transcending five decades of his artistic journey, this exhibition will showcase the artist’s extensive oeuvre from 1980s to 2024 which is rooted in Indian aesthetics and examines the vibrant culture of Telangana through theatrically posed large iconic forms that he brings to a contemporary global audience.
Having humble beginnings in the village of Burugupalli, Thota Vaikuntam began his artistic career working with charcoal and conte on paper before transitioning to vibrant acrylics on canvas. Positioned in the postcolonial context, Vaikuntam turned away from the grand narratives of an earlier modernism, instead finding his voice in a vivid portrayal of his local reality. His work, deeply rooted in the rustic life of his native Telangana, embodies a dynamic modernism which is deeply personal yet connected to the broader currents of global art history. Thota Vaikuntam's art draws on a myriad of formal influences revealing a multifaceted artistic practice that is uniquely ingrained in Indian aesthetics yet universally resonant. Through his bold and evocative depictions of rural life, Vaikuntam not only honours the resilience of his community but also contributes to a broader understanding of modernism as a dynamic and pluralistic force. Redefining the Cultural Gaze looks into archiving of Thota Vaikuntam’s work that probes into this creative journey.
