Triumphant Success! “Between Yesterday and Tomorrow” Art Exhibition Stuns Delhi with Rare Masterpieces and Contemporary Brilliance

Opulent Art Gallery proudly announces the triumphant success of “Between Yesterday and Tomorrow,” an exclusive exhibition of fine arts and artefacts. The event, held from January 18th to 27th at the prestigious Travancore House in India’s capital, New Delhi showcased a stunning confluence of artistic mastery. Featuring revered maestros of the past alongside contemporary visionaries, the exhibition attracted a discerning audience of art enthusiasts, collectors, and industry experts.

The exhibition featured exceptional pieces from Hormazd Firdosh Sholapurwala’s collection, a distinguished art connoisseur and third-generation collector from Bangalore. Reflecting on his journey, “I began my collection in 1996, and my first masterpiece of art was a gift from my parents, Firdosh Hector Sholapurwala and Freny Firdosh Sholapurwala, on the occasion of my navjote.”

Hormazd Firdosh Sholapurwala is a passionate art collector who values both traditional and contemporary works. His journey began with a fascination for the stories behind each piece and the connections they create. Inspired by his travels and interactions with artists, he views collecting as a way to preserve history, culture, and personal expression. Over time, his carefully curated collection has grown to showcase diverse styles and mediums, offering a rare glimpse into India’s rich artistic heritage. Through his dedication, Hormazd has built a collection that reflects his personal journey while celebrating the dynamic world of art.

The exhibition showcased a captivating collection of art, bridging the gap between past, present, and future. It featured masterpieces by renowned artists such as Akbar Padamsee, Jamini Roy, Maqbool Fida Hussain, Ram Kumar and Syed Haider Raza, alongside contemporary talents like Khursheed Nariman, Rahul Mitra, Rohan and Roshan Anvekar, Priyanka Waghale, Neeraj Singh Khandka, Sonali Laha, and many more.

This thoughtfully curated exhibition celebrated diverse artistic practices and invited viewers to explore themes of identity, vulnerability, and resilience. It connected personal and collective memories of the past while envisioning a sustainable future, nurturing cultural heritage, the environment, and the human spirit.

Exhibition Highlights The exhibition presented an extraordinary collection, culminating in eight outstanding masterpieces, an eclectic mix of artistic expressions, ranging from abstract to traditional.

Maqbool Fida Husain’s (M F Husain’s) Masterpieces:

• Krishna Series Triptych – A mesmerizing three-panel canvas depicting the life of Lord Krishna, captivating audiences with its vibrant storytelling.
• Bharat Series – A breath-taking 12-foot-long canvas that stands as a pinnacle of artistic expression, weaving together various cultural motifs of that time period painting by the artist
• Urdu Series – A rare gem featuring Husain’s iconic seven steeds in fluorescent hues, adorned with inscriptions and couplets handwritten by the artist himself. This commissioned piece, created in his Dubai studio for the Sholapurwala family, held a unique place in the exhibition.
• Mother Teresa Series – A striking departure from his usual melancholic depictions, this piece portrays Mother Teresa joyfully playing with children, showcasing a different facet of her legacy.
• Krishna Leela Series – A fascinating portrayal of a rural dance recital, where each motif radiates euphoria, captured through Husain’s signature featureless figures, with enlightenment symbolized by the inner eye.

Other Indian Modern Art Luminaries:

• Akbar Padamsee’s Metascape Series – Spanning from the 1970s to the early 2000s, this series reflects his fascination with mythical and archetypal landscapes, marked by the timeless elements of the sun, moon, and earth.
• Ram Kumar’s Village Landscapes – Defined by jagged contours and a profound sense of ambient melancholy, his poetic abstraction enriched the exhibition with deep emotional resonance.
• Sayed Haider Raza’s Iconic Works – One of the exhibition’s most exquisite highlights, showcasing his bold use of colours and profound symbolism, particularly the Bindu Series, a motif deeply rooted in Indian cultural philosophy.

The exhibition offered a rare opportunity to witness these extraordinary works, each carrying a distinct narrative and artistic brilliance, leaving an indelible impression on art lovers and collectors alike.

Hormazd Firdosh Sholapurwala, co-curator of the exhibition, esteemed art connoisseur, and third generation collector, expressed his enthusiasm: “This event, organized in collaboration with Ame Contemporary and Opulent Art Gallery showcased a unique blend of masterworks and contemporary art. We are delighted with the overwhelming response to this exhibition. My family has collected some exquisite works over the years, including works by M.F. Husain, Akbar Padamsee, Ram Kumar, and S.H. Raza. Only a select few of these masterpieces were displayed at this event. Hosting an exhibition at Travancore House required meticulous documentation and provenance verification. Our primary goal in curating this showcase was to highlight how contemporary artists draw inspiration from the great masters. We at Opulent Art Gallery are now preparing for our next major exhibition in Mumbai, followed by events in Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad.

Bharadwaj Mathukumilli, an esteemed educationalist, philanthropist, and third-generation art collector whose visionary approach has left an indelible impact on the Indian art scene, shared his future vision: “Opulent Art Gallery is set to establish a permanent space dedicated to exhibiting masterpieces by revered artists alongside contemporary talents. This initiative will provide a dynamic platform for artists to showcase their work on an ongoing basis, fostering engagement and appreciation within the art community. We are truly excited about this milestone and the opportunities it will create.”

Pravin V. Patil, Director of Opulent Art Gallery, emphasized the exhibition’s commercial success, stating: “The response from buyers and collectors has been exceptional, demonstrating a growing interest in both classical and contemporary art.”

Vandita Mishra, Director of Aem Contemporary and lead curator of the event, highlighted the exhibition’s broader mission: “Our aim is to foster dialogue and forge enduring connections between contemporary artists and collectors, nurturing an evolving art ecosystem.”

As Between Yesterday and Tomorrow concludes on a resounding note in Delhi, art lovers, collectors, and connoisseurs can eagerly anticipate the next showcase in Mumbai in the coming months, promising yet another celebration of a unique artistic brilliance. Don’t miss this extraordinary celebration of imagination, creativity, and cultural depth!

-Freny Daruwalla

This article appeared in Jame Jamshed on 090225

 

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