Every individual is engaged in activities to move forward in life; an ongoing stunt to achieve something. “That is Kartab for you,” says artist Gurmeet Marwah, who is presenting his first solo exhibition in the city. As Gurmeet puts it, the show delves into the many levels or angles of kartab, a Hindi word that means act, deed, or undertaking, as it plays out in everyday life.
Gurmeet’s artistic exploration is driven by this idea or concept of human nature, where there is more to every act than what is visible on the surface.
“Everyone is involved in kartab, hoping to gain something. Then we strive to balance and maintain it. We are constantly in that loop,” he says.
Gurmeet says his artworks are an exploration of this concept, and is in keeping with his belief that an idea should not be confined to a single dimension, whilst also upholding minimalism.
Hazaaron Khawaishein Aisi, from Kartab, a solo show by artist Gurmeet Marwah.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
“When I think of an idea, I want to explore its possibilities. I don’t understand the point of limiting it. Painting is the simplest form of expression, but I enjoy going beyond it,” says Gurmeet, explaining how he always visualises a concept from different angles and perspectives.
Animals feature regularly in Gurmeet’s works — goats, donkeys, monkeys, owls and frogs — both in paintings and woodcuts. “Local slang in conversations inspired me to use animals as my subjects. For instance, words such as gadha (donkey) and bakhra (goat) are often part of casual conversations, so I began using them in my work. It is not symbolic; it is just the language I speak and have grown up with,” says the Delhi-based artist.
Talking about how some of his recent works portray humanoid figures, Gurmeet says it is symbolic of a subject he wants to present, and the depiction happened incidentally. “This is the first time I have used a human figure in my art. It was not conscious, but some concepts needed such a protagonist, so it was brought in.”
What distinguishes Gurmeet’s work is the simplicity, and his knack of presenting ideas important to him without complexities. In this exhibition, Gurmeet has presented artworks built on everyday experiences, his middle-class upbringing, hierarchies, and societal structures.
Tiger In The City, from Kartab, a solo show by artist Gurmeet Marwah.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
“I come from a middle-class family, and live a regular life in a metro. Many things influence our lives, and they can be personal, societal, or political. Everyone has a perspective or opinion on different topics and they choose to express them in their own way.I do it in the language I know, which is visual art. If I were a poet, I would have written poems.”
Describing the choice of titles for his works, he says it is a way to connect with the audience. “It is a way of directing the viewer toward what I’m trying to say without overloading them with information.”
His artworks often feature subtle, almost monochromatic backgrounds, bringing focus to a central object or figure that carries the message.
“I feel an artist’s job is to simplify things. Art is not meant to confuse the viewer. I want the viewer to look straight at the subject and understand my idea.”
Kartab by Gurmeet Marwah is on display at Artisera in Indiranagar, till May 4
Published – April 22, 2025 09:19 pm IST
