MAP Bengaluru opens new exhibition Shape of a Thought: Letters from Ram Kumar

On July 26th, Museum of Art & Photography (MAP) opens their latest exhibition, Shape of a Thought: Letters from Ram Kumar featuring artworks and letters by Ram Kumar. In a world where texting, emojis, voice notes and emails have become the new normal, the joy of picking up a well written letter, a lovingly sent postcard from destination our beloved visited recently don't compare to the instant replies.

Curated by Arnika Ahldag and Priya Chauhan, the exhibition juxtaposes a series of intimate letters written by the artist to a friend, with his contemplative canvases. On the occasion of the centenary year of acclaimed Modernist Ram Kumar, the exhibition navigates the artist’s nuanced engagement with abstraction by inviting the viewer not to decipher, but to dwell on a constellation of thoughts, feelings and memories.

One of the most celebrated artists of Indian modernism, Ram Kumar started his journey in economics and writing. A chance encounter with a poster in a coffee shop at Janpath led him to evening art classes at the Sarada Ukil School in Delhi of the 1940s and kindled his interest in art. Exposure to international art exhibitions and connections with artists of the Progressive Art Group (PAG), strengthened his resolve to pursue arts seriously. His travels and studies took him around the world, particularly to Paris to study under the guidance of André Lhote and Fernand Léger who shaped his visual practice.

Shape of a Thought includes the film ‘The Spaces in Between’ by Naveed Mulki. The film explores letter exchanges between Ram Kumar and his friend and the many conversations they have on life, art and the world. The exhibition also features engagement activities that encourage audiences to write letters to themselves, loved ones or even cities, as well as creating labels for abstract artworks.

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