Devotion, circa 2015
Art Institute signage:
Kapil Sharma
Indian, born 1979
Devotion, circa 2015
2015
Udaipur, Rajathan, India
Mixed media
This reproduction of the nij mandir, Shrinathji’s shrine, has been designated by Kapil Sharma, a contemporary graphic artist and a descendant of the master artist, Narayan Sharma (1860-1932/33). With traditional Pushtimarg motifs such as lotus flowers and decorated cows, the shrine demonstrates how a pichvai would be shown behind Shrinathji and the manner in which it would be altered according to the seasons.
The Shrinathji image within the shrine replicates the svarup’s image from an early 20th century painting of the year-end Pavitra festival by Narayan Sharma. This animated pichvai rotates with the changing of the seasons and darshans (viewings of the day). Drawing on centuries of tradition and Pushtimarg aesthetics, yet employing a contemporary language, the shrine brings to life the seasonal variation in pichvais seen in the [Art Institute] exhibition.
Devotion, circa 2015
Art Institute signage:
Kapil Sharma
Indian, born 1979
Devotion, circa 2015
2015
Udaipur, Rajathan, India
Mixed media
This reproduction of the nij mandir, Shrinathji’s shrine, has been designated by Kapil Sharma, a contemporary graphic artist and a descendant of the master artist, Narayan Sharma (1860-1932/33). With traditional Pushtimarg motifs such as lotus flowers and decorated cows, the shrine demonstrates how a pichvai would be shown behind Shrinathji and the manner in which it would be altered according to the seasons.
The Shrinathji image within the shrine replicates the svarup’s image from an early 20th century painting of the year-end Pavitra festival by Narayan Sharma. This animated pichvai rotates with the changing of the seasons and darshans (viewings of the day). Drawing on centuries of tradition and Pushtimarg aesthetics, yet employing a contemporary language, the shrine brings to life the seasonal variation in pichvais seen in the [Art Institute] exhibition.