Raqib Shaw

by Maria; Petr Nedoma; David Lomas; Fiona Corridan; Raqib Shaw Balshaw

This publication accompanies Raqib Shaw's exhibition at Manchester Art Gallery (15 February - 26 May 2013) and Galerie Rudolfinum, Prague (6 June - 15 September 2013). Raqib Shaw is an Indian-born, London based artist whose gloriously opulent paintings and sculptures evoke Old Masters such as Holbein and Bosch, the lavish world of Persian miniatures and Kashmiri and Japanese textiles. Beneath their exquisite jewel-like surface, is a collection of dark and violent images inspired by ancient myths and religious tales from both East and Western traditions.

140 pages, Paperback

First published April 18, 2013

Reviews

[XenofoneX · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raqib Shaw has perhaps the most vivid imagination and original style of his generation, with the exception perhaps of fellow Galerie Thaddeus Ropac contributor Ali Banisadr and the spectral nobunga stylings of Fuyuko Matsui. His huge canvases, glittering with semi-precious stones, gilt and glazing, portray scenes of carnage and chaos on metaphysical battlegrounds that range from heavenly palaces amidst the clouds to the ocean floor, where death lurks in the crevices and vibrant hues of a coral reef. While Shaw is popular now in the realm of the 'high art' tastemakers, , he is accessible enough to attract casual art aficionados.This long-delayed exhibition catalogue is a beautiful surprise; I was anticipating more the release of the forthcoming hardcover from Galerie Thaddeus Ropac, 'Of Beasts and Superbeasts'. The 'Manchester-Prague' book, however, is an excellent overview of Shaw's career, based on the two city retrospective from which the title derives. The covers are layered with felt, and the artists name is spelled out in gilt, making it one of the most stunning monograph releases of late, particularly for a 7" x 9" softcover. At 170 pages, it is rich in content, featuring some of his best paintings from various exhibitions, and accompanied by some illuminating essays.