Shilpa Gupta

Shilpa Gupta was born in 1976 in Mumbai.{{cite book |editor=Phaidon |title=Great women artists |date=2019 |publisher=Phaidon Press |isbn=978-0714878775 |page=166}} She pursued her studies in sculpture at the Sir J. J. School of Fine Arts, from 1992 to 1997,{{Cite web |title=Tanya Bonakdar Gallery |url=https://www.tanyabonakdargallery.com/ |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=Tanya Bonakdar Gallery |language=en}} earning her BFA degree in sculpture in 1997. Gupta's artistic practise encompasses a wide range of mediums, including manipulated found objects, video art, interactive computer-based installations, and performance.{{cite web|title=Shilpa Gupta|url=https://www.guggenheim.org/artwork/artist/shilpa-gupta|website=Guggenheim Museum}}

Shilpa Gupta's artistic interests revolve around the perception and transmission of information in human life.{{cite web|title=Shilpa Gupta|url=http://www.maap.org.au/exhibition/shilpa-gupta/|website=Multimedia Art Asia Pacific, Australia}} Her work explores how objects, such as places, people, and experiences, are defined and engages with the various dynamics that shape these definitions, including borderlines, labels, censorship, and security.

As a new media artist, Gupta has had a significant influence on subsequent generations.{{cite web|title=A Bit Closer|url=http://www.contemporaryartscenter.org/exhibitions/2010/02/shilpa-gupta|website=Contemporary Arts Center, U.S.A.}}{{cite news|title=SHIREEN GANDHY: I STOOD THERE THINKING, "IS THIS ART?"|url=http://www.vervemagazine.in/arts-and-culture/shireen-gandhy-i-stood-there-thinking-is-this-art|agency=Verve Magazine, India|date=10 July 2017}} Over the course of two decades, she has actively engaged with art in participatory, interactive, and public contexts. Her work examines the impact of social and psychological boundaries on public life, shedding light on the contradictions and conflicts within the emerging national public sphere in India. These include issues related to gender and class, religious diversity, the influence of repressive state mechanisms, and the allure of social conformity and misleading notions of public consensus facilitated by evolving media landscapes.{{cite news|title=Lines of Control: Partition as a Productive Space|publisher=Iftikhar Dadi|date=March 2012}}

Shilpa Gupta has created a diverse range of artwork throughout her career. In the early stages, she worked on projects such as "Untitled" (1995–96), where she sent 300 anonymously numbered and stamped drawings via post. Another notable work, "Untitled" (1999), involved Gupta visiting holy places to have her blank canvas blessed, exploring the mechanisms of faith and belief as well as questioning the artist's role in manifesting collective religious aspirations.{{cite news|title=The Artist and the Dangers of the Everyday: Medium, Perception and Meaning in Shilpa Gupta's work|url=http://www.artnewsnviews.com/view-article.php?article=the-artist-and-the-dangers-of-the|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013014420/http://www.artnewsnviews.com/view-article.php?article=the-artist-and-the-dangers-of-the|url-status=usurped|archive-date=13 October 2017|agency=www.artnewsnviews.com|publisher=Claudio Maffioletti}}

One of her projects, "Blessed Bandwidth," commissioned by Tate Modern in 2001, took the form of an internet art piece.{{cite web|title=Blessed Be Tate Online|url=http://www.tate.org.uk/press/press-releases/blessed-be-tate-online|website=Tate Museum|publisher=PRESS RELEASE 1 NOVEMBER 2003}} The website invited visitors to be blessed online by accessing pages linked via a cable carried by the artist to various sites of worship. Gupta's work delves into the ways in which we define and construct our world by exploring the intersections of technology, religion, and personal experience.

Themes of blame and naming feature prominently in Gupta's art. In her 2001 work she distributed bottles of simulated blood with messages blaming others for aspects they cannot control, such as religion or nationality. She continues to explore this theme in various projects, including "There is No Border Here" (2005), "Someone Else" (2011), and "Altered Inheritances" (2012–14), which highlight issues of identity, boundaries, and personal agency.{{cite news|title=I'm interested in perception and with how definitions get stretched or trespassed: Shilpa Gupta|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/im-interested-in-perception-and-with-how-definitions-get-stretched-or-trespassed-shilpa-gupta/|work=The Indian Express|publisher=Vandana Kalra|date=17 January 2016}}

Gupta's projects often address historical and cultural violence, providing alternate perspectives and encouraging self-awareness.{{cite book|title=Ozge Ersoy, Rethinking Contemporary Art and Multicultural Education|publisher=By New Museum |year=2011 | isbn=978-0415960854}} She has tackled the effects of the 1947 partition in works like the "Aar Paar" project (2002–2004), which involved sending artworks across the India–Pakistan border for display in public spaces. Additionally, her work "In Our Times" (2008) juxtaposes the inaugural independence speeches by Jinnah and Nehru, prompting reflection on the two leaders' visions and the political decisions that shaped their respective countries.

Sound-based installations have been a significant part of Gupta's artistic practise since 2001. From speakers woven onto fabrics to interactive audio installations, her works engage the audience as active participants. Examples include "Singing Cloud" (2008), consisting of 4000 reversed-function microphones,{{cite news|title=The Formation of Identity- Shilpa Gupta- Someone Else- Arnolfini- Bristol|url=http://aestheticamagazine.blogspot.in/2012/04/formation-of-identity-shilpa-gupta.html|work=Aesthetica Magazine Blog|publisher=Regina Papachlimitzou|date=11 April 2012}} and "Speaking Wall" (2010), where visitors follow instructions through a headset, transitioning from spectator to performer.{{cite news|title=Shilpa Gupta|url=https://frieze.com/article/shilpa-gupta|work=frieze.com|publisher=Ronald Jones|date=14 March 2012}}

Gupta's art also incorporates temporary materials to challenge assumptions. In "Threat" (2008), a wall made of soap resembling individual bricks bears the word "threat" on each one, prompting viewers to question their perceptions and preconceptions about the world.

Throughout her career, Gupta has pushed the boundaries of art practise, exploring interactivity and expanding into large-scale video projections and installations. Notable works include "Untitled" (2004), a controlled animated figure projection,{{cite web|title=Shilpa Gupta- Untitled, Interactive video installation|url=http://art.daimler.com/en/artwork/untitled-shilpa-gupta-2004-2/|website=Damlier Art Collection}} and the interactive video projections "Shadow 1, 2, and 3" (2006-7), which capture and project real-time silhouettes of visitors.{{cite web|title=Shilpa Gupta- Untitled (Shadow 2), 2006|url=http://www.ntticc.or.jp/en/feature/2012/Openspace2012/Works/untitled.html|website=NTT InterCommunication Center, Japan}}

Her installations extend beyond traditional gallery spaces, with projects like "Someone Else" (2011), featuring a library of 100 books written anonymously or under pseudonyms, exhibited in public libraries around the world. Gupta has also created outdoor light installations, such as "I live under your sky too" (2004){{cite news|title=Shilpa Gupta Writes Across Night Sky|url=http://artasiapacific.com/News/ShilpaGuptaWritesAcrossNightSky|work=Art Asia Pacific Magazine|publisher=Noelle Bodick|date=22 February 2013}} and "My East is Your West" (2014), an animated light installation featuring the words "My East is Your West" illuminated in a nonlinear arrangement.{{cite news|title=Shilpa Gupta, Possessing Skies|url=https://www.asymptotejournal.com/visual/poorna-swami-shilpa-gupta-possessing-skies/|work=asymptotejournal.com|publisher=Poorna Swami}}

In recent years, Gupta's artwork has focused on giving voice to imprisoned poets and individuals silenced for their beliefs. The installation "In Your Tongue, I Cannot Fit" (2018), exhibited at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale '18–19, includes printed sheets of poems by imprisoned poets displayed on metal rods, accompanied by recorded recitations.{{Cite web|url=http://kochimuzirisbiennale.org/poetryandfreedom/|title=Kochi Muziris Biennale}}

Through her diverse and thought-provoking body of work, Shilpa Gupta continues to challenge perceptions, explore social and political issues, and invite audiences to engage with art in new and interactive ways.

Gupta has participated in art events including the Venice Biennale (2019),{{cite news |last1=Maddox |first1=Georgina |title=The trio from India who made it to the Venice Biennale 2019 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/art/the-trio-from-india-who-made-it-to-the-venice-biennale-2019/article27096201.ece/photo/1/ |newspaper=The Hindu |date=10 May 2019 |accessdate=10 May 2019}} Kochi Muziris Biennale (2018, 2019), Göteborg Biennial (2017, 2015), Havana Biennial (2015, 2006), 8th Berlin Biennale (2014), Sharjah Biennale '13 (2013), New Museum Triennial (2009), Biennale de Lyon(2009), Gwangju Biennale (2008), Yokohamale (2008), Liverpool Biennial (2006), and biennales in Auckland, Seville, Seoul, Havana, Sydney, and Shanghai.

Her works have been exhibited in international institutions, such as Tate Modern and Serpentine Gallery in London, Centre Pompidou in Paris, Musée d'art contemporain de Lyon, Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo in Torino, Daimler Chrysler Contemporary in Berlin, Mori Museum in Tokyo, Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art in Oslo, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New Museum, and Queens Museum in New York, Chicago Cultural Centre, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art in Porto, Museum of Contemporary Art Val De Marne, and Devi Art Foundation in Gurgaon, among others.{{Cite web |title=Shilpa Gupta |url=https://www.tanyabonakdargallery.com/artists/71-shilpa-gupta/ |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=Tanya Bonakdar Gallery |language=en}}

In 2015, Gupta presented a solo project at the 'My East is Your West' exhibition, which was a joint India-Pakistan exhibition organised by the Gujral Foundation in Venice.{{Cite web |title=My East is Your West, a Collateral Event for the 2015 Venice Biennale - Announcements |url=https://www.e-flux.com/announcements/30085/my-east-is-your-west-a-collateral-event-for-the-2015-venice-biennale/ |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=e-flux |language=en}}

Gupta has received several prestigious awards and recognitions for her artistic contributions. In 2025 she was awarded the Possehl Prize for International Art 2025. Gupta is the third artist to win the prize, which is awarded every three years, following Doris Salcedo and Matt Mullican.{{Cite web |title=Shilpa Gupta awarded the Possehl Prize for International Art 2025 |url=https://artreview.com/shilpa-gupta-awarded-the-possehl-prize-for-international-art-2025/ |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=artreview.com |language=en}} In 2024, she was awarded the ‘Path Breakers Award’ by Asia Society.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-10 |title=2025 Asia Arts Game Changer Awards India: Shilpa Gupta, Asia Arts Pathbreaker Awardee {{!}} Asia Society |url=https://asiasociety.org/video/2025-asia-arts-game-changer-awards-india-shilpa-gupta-asia-arts-pathbreaker-awardee |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=asiasociety.org |language=en}} In 2019, Gupta was the recipient of the GQ Cultural Provocateur Award;{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=G. Q. |date=2019-04-01 |title=GQ Style & Culture Awards 2019: Full list of winners |url=https://www.gqindia.com/content/gq-style-and-culture-awards-2019-winners-full-list-most-stylish-man-ranveer-singh-most-stylish-woman-anushka-sharma-taapsee-pannu-rajkummar-rao-zoya-akhtar-and-more-winners |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=GQ India |language=en-IN}} in 2018, she was named India Today’s New Media Artist of the Year;{{Cite web |date=2018-12-23 |title=India Today Art Awards 2019: Portrait of an artist as a warrior |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/anniversary-issue/story/20181231-india-today-art-awards-2019-portrait-of-an-artist-as-a-warrior-1414219-2018-12-23 |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=India Today |language=en}} in 2013, she was one of the YFLO Titan Young Women Achievers Awards recipients; in 2011, she received the Bienal Award at the Bienal De Cuenca, Ecuador; in 2004 she was the recipient of the Transmediale Award, Berlin, and the Sanskriti Prathisthan Award, New Delhi. She was also named International Artist of the Year by the South Asian Visual Artists Collective, Canada.

Her artworks are part of collections, including the Tate, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Asia Society, Centre Georges Pompidou, Mori Museum, Louisiana Museum, Deutsche Bank, ZKM, National Gallery of Victoria, National Gallery of Canada, Ishara Art Foundation, Jameel Arts Center, Daimler Chrysler, Bristol Art Museum, Louis Vuitton Foundation, Astrup Fearnley Museum, Fonds National d'Art Contemporain - France, KOC Collection, Kiran Nadar Museum, M+ Museum, and Devi Art Foundation, among others.

• Shaheen Merali, Nancy Adajania, Hans Ulrich Obrist and Julia Peyton-Jones, Shilpa Gupta: Blindstars Starsblind, Kehrer, Heidelberg, Bodhi and Volker Diehl, Berlin, 2009
• Mirjam Westen and Renee Baert, Shilpa Gupta: Will We Ever Be Able to Mark Enough, Fonderie Darling, Montreal, Museum voor Moderne Kunst, Arnhem, Culturcentrum of Brugge, Belgium, and Galerie im Taxipalais, Innsbruck, 2012
• Natasha Ginwala, Iftikhar Dadi and Lawrence Liang, Shilpa Gupta and Rashid Rana: My East is Your West, HarperCollins and Gujral Foundation, New Dehli, 2016
• Sunil Khilnani and Anushka Rajendran, ''Shilpa Gupta: Drawing in the Dark, Hatje Cantz, Berlin, 2021
• Chris Bayley, Hilary Floe and Urvashi Butalia, Shilpa Gupta, Barbican Centre and Ridinghouse, London, 2022
• Alexandra Munroe, Nav Haq and Elvira Dyangani Ose, Shilpa Gupta, Phaidon Press, London, 2023

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Category:1976 births

Category:Living people

Category:Women artists from Maharashtra

Category:Interdisciplinary artists

Category:Women in electronic music

Category:Artists from Mumbai

Category:Indian women contemporary artists

Category:Indian contemporary artists

Category:Indian multimedia artists

Category:21st-century Indian women sculptors

Category:Multimedia artists