Bātin

Delving deep into the annals of Islamic Art, Saubiya Chasmawala’s works add a contemporary twist to the traditional Arabic scriptures. This ongoing show titled Bātin tries to demystify the rich- sacred texts. Bātin literally means "inner" and in this context, is connected deeply to the artist’s relationship with her practice.

‘The artwork is undoubtedly and almost inextricably tied to Chasmawala’s sense of self, history, and Identity and their creation is a therapeutic, almost a cathartic process for her, and an opportunity to move away from a sense of conflict and duality.’

Installation Vew , 2019

Artwork © Saubiya Chasmawala & TARQ

Image Courtesy: Ashish Chandra

All works in Bātin have been an immersive experience for the artist from choosing the perfect calligraphic tool to allowing the ink blot on paper. Chasmawala insists that the work does not have a subject; instead, a pure process in itself. Being well versed with the Quran, the artist stylistically chose Arabic letters while contemporarily abstracting them to become beautifully meaningless.

Untitled #38, 2019 (Ink on Paper)

The artist has actualized an elegantly simple visual language, from the original rich vernacular. Thus this solo show has grabbed the viewers’ attention towards exploring textures, materiality and form of her progressive works. Each of her works demystifies and unravels hidden chronicles from the artist’s life, resulting in ‘intuitive, introspective, almost meditative mark making process.’

The artist’s technique has truly evolved from a controlled methodical process to a gestural performative process, pushing boundaries of abstractive art.

Through the use of her unique medium, Chasmawala has ventured into an unchartered territory. The medium- ink and natural dyes, has been expressed in its rawest form.

Confident brush strokes are layered over each other. Each subsequent layer has been applied with sensitivity, letting the underlying layer to see through. These fluid layers almost engulf the viewers transporting them to a world of solace while leaving them with a feeling of eternal calmness. The abstraction is a deep internal reckoning, an inward turn.

Untitled #1, 2019 (Saffron on Paper)

The artist takes a walk down the memory lane that clearly reflects as she beautifully stains the paper with saffron. This work is inspired from an anecdote related to the artist’s grandmother, who used saffron water to write verses.

Untitled #41, 2019 ( Ink on Paper)

The exhibition will be accompanied by a catalogue featuring an essay by Skye

Arundhati Thomas, which delves into Chasmawala’s unique approach towards abstraction, form and texture.

Courtesy: TARQ & Saubiya Chasmawala

Artwork Image © Saubiya Chasmawala

17th October - 23rd November, 2019.