New York, Aicon Gallery, KAAM: Contemporary Bombay and Baroda Artists, 2 December, 2005 – 22 January, 2006
Catalogue Essay
Justin Ponmany utilises cutting edge media in his canvases often working away at their surfaces to create his gritty portraits of life in India. Finding his subject matter in the detritus, gutters and alleyways of Mumbai, Pronmany explores the brutality of living in a country consumed with poverty and the brute Darwinian quality of life which is born as a result. Using photographs as a basis for his works, the artist imbues his surfaces with plastic, resin, printers ink, salt and holograms to create his rugged stylistic effects. The slick holographic media which coats the canvas is purposely sanded and worn away revealing holes and decay in the shining façade, much like landscape of India, scarred by monsoons, smog and over crowding.
2005 Acrylic and hologram on canvas. 161.5 x 202.5 cm. (63 1/2 x 79 3/4 in). Signed and titled ‘Justin Ponmany’ on the overlap and titled ‘Salt Friends – S3’ on the reverse.