Overshort

Arunkumar's exhibition 'OVERSHOOT' carries forward his continued exploration of themes relating to man and ecology. Weaving interesting and astonishing narratives, it unravels varied facets of human activity and unmasks the ugly face of unchecked consumerism and vicious corporate culture. It shows how human greed is systematically dealing a crushing blow to indigenous wisdom and agricultural diversity.

'OVERSHOOT' captures critical moments of human history when unreasonable demands far exceeding her capacity to produce and regenerate are heaped on Mother Earth. The artworks show how pristine natural landscapes are being transformed into barren wastelands; how life-giving water systems are being polluted and destroyed; and how the pressure of monocultures are threatening the very basic and critical elements of biodiversity.

'OVERSHOOT' also pays homage to the often-overlooked frontline eco-warriors for bravely guarding the residues of biodiversity and preserving indigenous knowledge systems for the sake of future generations.

-Giridhar Khasni, 2023

#ARUNKUMAR H G

Born in 1968, Sagara, Karnataka.

Arunkumar completed his Bachelors in Fine Arts (Sculpture) between 1989-1993 & Masters in Fine Arts (Sculpture) between 1994-1995 both from the Faculty of Fine Arts, M S University, Baroda.

His use of readymade objects such as toys, plastic, ceramics, cow dung, hay & TV monitors, paper pulp, white cement, repurposed wood give us a glimpse of his susceptibility towards the neo-pop movement. His toy-like, yet intricate sculptural works often convey a simple message.

Some of his recent solo exhibitions have been ‘Con-struction’, O P Jindal University, Sonepat, Haryana & Gallery Espace, New Delhi (2018); ‘In-site’, Aicon Gallery, New York (2018). He has also exhibited in ‘We are still Alive’, MASH Foundation, New Delhi (2020); ‘Art Now’, Art Alive Gallery, New Delhi (2019); ‘No Place Like The Present’, Akara Art, Mumbai (2019); ‘Possibilities for a no-alienated life’, Kochi Muziris Biennale, Kochi (2018); ‘Damned Art/Embrace Our Rivers’, Goethe-Institute, Chennai (2018).

He has been invited for several workshops/projects and has been Artist-in-Residence at Art Omi International Artist Residency, New York, USA (2011); International Sculpture Symposium, Harmony Art Foundation, Mumbai, INDIA (2008); University of South Australia, Adelaide, AUSTRALIA (2007); JNU Campus, New Delhi, INDIA (2005); International Artist Camp, George Keyt Foundation, Colombo, SRI LANKA (2005); CHROMA Public Art Project, NORWAY (2003); ARCUS, Moriya, Ibaraki Prefecture, JAPAN (1999); International Artists Workshop, IX Treinnale, Lalit Kala Academy, New Delhi, INDIA (1997) & International Sculpture Symposium at Kannada University, Hampi, Karnataka, INDIA (1996).

Arunkumar is also the Founder of a social organization SARA (Sustainable Alternatives for Rural Accord), and is very actively involved in its social engagements and programs since 2014. He was also a visiting faculty at the Dept. of Sculpture at the College of Arts. New Delhi between 2018 to 2020.

Arun lives and works in New Delhi