Art Houz Bengaluru presents Real and Ethereal, a solo exhibition of new and recent works by C.S. Krishna Setty, one of the most significant artists currently shaping the contours of Indian contemporary art. Throughout his career, Setty has been well known for his works that relentlessly challenge the accepted notions of desire, sexuality, tradition and language but still celebrate the poignancy of human experiences.
He constructs narratives that allure one into a rather a dream-like domain; and in the process reveal an ethereal platform that somehow seems more tangible than reality itself. Mostly in ink or pastel, the works seem to hold up a mirror to the society at large, reflecting back the collective fervour and intensity that constantly shifts and transforms with the tireless cycle of time. Profound and powerful, the representations here are vastly metaphorical; yet are still grounded within concepts of politics, literature and the more nuanced understanding of a human life, our basic necessities, livelihoods and our deepest and the most secret desires.
Born in 1952, an eminent artist, art critic and columnist, C. S. Krishna Setty hails from Thirthahalli, Shimoga District, Karnataka. He pursued Fine Arts from the University College of Art, Davangere, and commenced research in graphics from Garhi Studios, New Delhi. He holds a Post Graduate degree in Literature from Mysore University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Relations from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
C. S. Krishna Setty is the former Chairman and Administrator of Central Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, and has served as the Chairman of Karnataka Lalithakala Academy. He was also the Chairman of the steering committee of the first Print Biennale India, 2018, held in New Delhi. He has been awarded the prestigious Honorary Membership of Russian Academy in Moscow, 2017. Following artists Satish Gujral and Om Prakash, C. S. Krishna Setty is the third artist from India to be honoured with this award.. He is also the recipient of numerous awards such as the Vincent Van Gogh Award; Rajiv Gandhi Rashtriya Rathna National Award and Kala Tapasvi Awards. He has served as the jury member of National Film Awards in 2016 and was the international jury member of the Bangla Biennale 2018.
