Origin Story : Curated by Anica Mann

"Origin Story" is an ambitious exhibition that brings together the work of thirty contemporary South Asian artists, each uniquely contributing to the ongoing dialogue about identity, culture, and the complexity of contemporary art practices. This exhibition seeks to delve into the foundational narratives and frameworks that underpin their individual creative processes, tracing the nuanced intersections of personal histories, social contexts, and the evolving socio-political landscapes that inform their work.

The term "origin" in this context is not merely a reference to geographical or cultural beginnings, but also an exploration of the artists’ engagement with the personal and collective stories that shape their artistic expressions. The works on view engage with the multitude of ways in which South Asian artists confront, negotiate, and reimagine their heritage, questioning established historical narratives while also giving voice to contemporary realities.

Through a broad spectrum of media, from painting and sculpture to video, installation, and performance, the artists in "Origin Story" investigate the complex, layered nature of identity construction. They interrogate themes such as migration, displacement, memory, tradition, and the politics of representation, all of which are central to the understanding of South Asian art in the global context today. This exhibition invites the viewer to consider not just the individual narratives presented by the artists, but also the collective resonances these works provoke, offering a multifaceted view of contemporary South Asian identity as it is lived, remembered, and reimagined.

By examining the individual methodologies and practices of each artist, "Origin Story" attempts to uncover the diverse influences and motivations that underpin their artistic visions, shedding light on the multiplicities that define contemporary South Asian art. It is a reflection on the ways in which art can serve as both a mirror and a medium for understanding the complexities of the modern world. The exhibition, in turn, encourages the viewer to reflect on their own place within these stories, offering an opportunity for dialogue between the artist, the artwork, and the audience. 

“Origin Story” is about the artist. It's the story about their art practice, a show that is meant to be vulnerable, that’s meant to bare their identity and mission as an artist and elicit their primary communication through their art. It's about putting their practice front and centre for the audiences to intimately view their works as a portal into the artist’s practice. This show is a study of some of the emerging practices of the last few years – as those that need to be seen and heard. An important part of curating this group show is to introduce to the world a new generation of artists and their work as mediums of negotiating a post contemporary world.