Anju Dodiya

Sale: Saffronart, Mumbai, Contemporary Art, 6 September, 2006, Lot 66

Delhi, Vadehra Art Gallery, Real in Realism, 2002

Colour: The colours in the catalogue illustration are fairly accurate although the overall tonality is brighter and more vibrant in the original. Condition: This work is in very good condition. There is very slight undulation to the sheet and a small horizontal crease approximately 2cm. above the right figure's left eye.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The work of Mumbai-based artist Anju Dodiya draws upon various eclectic sources ranging from Indian miniatures and folk tales to Renaissance paintings, world cinema, Japanese Ukiyo-e prints and newspaper photographs to create intricate, mixed-media portraits that delve into her experiences as a woman in contemporary Indian society. In paintings like Nest, there is a keen sense of introspection that compels the viewer to unravel the untold stories presented and become enmeshed within their ambiguous frames of reference. Anju's self is the subject here, and all the elements are charged with an emotional value and lyrical narrative. There is something both vulnerable and theatrical in the surfaces of her paintings that fluctuates between the real and the un-real, dream and reality. "My work deals with the mind where the private politics of desire, passion, terror and joy play," Anju explains.