Me and my golden picture, from Kartab, solo show artist Gurmeet Marwah | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Each individual deals with activities to move forward in life; A continuing stuntman to achieve something. “This is Kartab for you,” says artist Gurmeet Marwah, who presents his first solo exhibition in the city. As Gurmeet says, the show immerses in many levels or angles of cartab, a Hindi word that means act, deeds or business, as played in everyday life.
Gurmeet’s artistic exploration is powered by this idea or the concept of human nature, where there is more than what is visible on the surface for each act.
“Everyone is involved in Kartab and hopes to get something. Then we try to balance and keep it. We are constantly in that loop,” he says.
Gurmeet says that his works of art are exploring this concept and are in line with his belief that the idea should not be limited to a single dimension, while maintaining minimalism.
Hazaaron Khawaishein Aisi, from Kartab, solo show artist Gurmeet Marwah. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“When I think of the idea, I want to explore its possibilities. I don’t understand that it limits it. Painting is the simplest form of expression, but I enjoy,” says Gurmeet, explaining how he always visualizes the concept from different angles and perspectives.
Animals are regularly found in gurmeet works – goat, donkeys, monkeys, owls and frogs – both in paintings and in woodcutters. “The local slang in conversations inspired me to use animals as their objects. For example, words like Gadha (Ogroey) and Bakhra (goat) are often part of informal conversations, so I started using them in my work. It’s not symbolic; it’s just a language I speak and grow up.”
Speaking of how some of his recent works show humanoid characters, Gurmeet says it is a symbol of the subject it wants to submit, and the display has happened by the way. “This is the first time I used a human figure in my art. It wasn’t conscious, but some concepts needed such protagonists, so it was brought.”
What distinguishes Gurmeet’s work is simplicity and his talent presentation of ideas for him without complexity. At this exhibition, Gurmeet introduced art works based on everyday experience, his middle class education, hierarchies and social structures.
Tiger in the city, from Kartab, solo show artist Gurmeet Marwah. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“I come from a middle -class family and I live a regular life in the subway. Many things affect our lives and can be personal, social or political. Everyone has a perspective or opinion on different topics and have decided to express them in their own way. I do it in a language I know, which is visual art.
It describes the selection of titles for his works and says it is a way to connect with the audience. “It’s a way to direct the viewer to what I try to say without overloading it with information.”
His works of art often contain a fine, almost monochromatic background, focusing on a central object or character that the report bears.
“I feel that the artist’s work is to simplify things. The art is not to confuse the viewer. I want the viewer to look directly at this topic and understand my idea.”
Kartab from Gurmeet Marwah is exhibited in Artiser in Indianagar until 4 May
Published – April 22 2025 9:19
