From the beginning of his artistic career, Bhupen Khakhar expressed a commitment to presenting the world as he saw it and experienced it. Often celebrated for his bold and honest approach to his life and homosexuality in India during the late twentieth century, he stated in the catalogue to his 1972 exhibition at Gallery Chemould, Bombay that he wanted to reach beauty by truth alone.
This event takes its name after the same exhibition and self-written catalogue, Truth Is Beauty and Beauty Is God. Bringing together three speakers who offer a unique insight into a specific period of the artist’s career, this panel discussion aims to introduce and situate the artist’s practice and life within his particular contexts. Themes explored include Khakhar’s use of the biography, iconography, the visual language of the street, and more broadly his personal experiences in and of modern India. Speakers include Geeta Kapur, Sonal Khullar and Karin Zitzewitz, and is chaired by Chris Dercon.
In partnership with Paul Mellon Centre and Asia Art Archive.