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ALWAR BALASUBRAMANIAM

“I am a part and a tiny fraction of nature defined by my ego. I would like to keep expanding my circle by being open towards everything around me and trying to find the hidden meaning.”

Alwar Balasubramaniam

Alwar Balasubramaniam - Artists - Talwar Gallery

Kaayam (Detail) | 2008 |  Fiberglass, wood and acrylic 


Over the decades Alwar Balasubramaniam has had a sustained and ever-deepening relationship with the natural world—not only its landscapes or physical elements, but the forces that surround us. Working across a range of media and materials, Balasubramaniam, known also as Bala, focuses these life-giving forces in ways that make them visible and tangible—bringing the geological and elemental to human-scale. Bala’s bodily knowing of nature has been critical to his work over time—work which seeks continuously to investigate the possibilities of the senses to capture and engage with that which extends beyond them. With searching, always-curious attention, Bala probes our perception, pushing past normal habits of seeing, feeling, and relating – making visible what we otherwise overlook in the course of our daily living.

Balasubramaniam’s work revolves around the notions of transition and transformation...His sculpture fuses intellectual, emotional and spiritual concerns.

Vesela Sretenovic, The Phillips Collection

Alwar Balasubramaniam - Artists - Talwar Gallery

Nothing From My Hands | 2010-2011 | Fiberglass and acrylic (Detail)

From intimate and barely perceptible to room-size installations—Bala harnesses the potentiality of each material to work in new and unexpected ways. Bala playfully challenges viewers to question and ultimately expand the limits of their perception. In every case, his interest remains steady: to open our eyes and minds, quite literally, to the world around us.

Balasubramaniam has long investigated thresholds between presence and absence and the physical and the spiritual, particularly in relationship to himself.

Shanay Jhaveri, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Bala’s hand is felt as much as seen, present in the ways it moves like the wind through the matter around it or gently guiding the water as it flows through his landscape.

Kasturba Lalbhai Museum

Bala’s artworks … pay a homage to a life lived in close proximity to nature...There is something simple but magical in the organic world he re-creates and the sense of harmony he aspires to.

Sangita Jindal, Art India

By foregrounding the ease with which matter can be converted into states of immateriality, Balasubramaniam reveals to us how flesh might be sublimated into spirit.

Artforum

Alwar Balasubramaniam - Artists - Talwar Gallery

Across the three decades of his career, Bala has become known for his continuous investigation of the material and natural world, along with our capacity to explore, identify and comprehend it. Keenly interested in ways of accessing those parts of life too small, too vast, or simply too everyday to be readily seen, his works challenge viewers to expand their ways of seeing and refocus their habits of attention.

Bala’s works have been featured in exhibitions and collections worldwide, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET), New York; The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York; The Phillips Collection, Washington, DC; Guggenheim Museum, New York; Mori Art Museum, Tokyo, Japan; Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA), New Delhi, India; Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, Washington; École des Beaux Arts, Paris, France; Lalbhai Museum, Ahmedabad, India; Essl Museum, Austria; National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, Australia, 1st Singapore Biennale; and 18th Sydney Biennale. In 2001 he was given the Joan Miro foundation award accompanied by a solo exhibition. Bala has been a guest lecturer at the Art Department of Cornell University in Ithaca, NY and a featured speaker at TED.

Alwar Balasubramaniam (Bala) was born in 1971 in Tamil Nadu, India. He received a BFA from the Government College of Arts, Chennai, India, in 1995 after which he continued his studies in Edinburgh and Vienna. In 1998 he was artist in residence at The MacDowell Colony in NH after which he returned to Bangalore, where he lived and practiced till 2015. Subsequently Bala moved to the countryside near Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu where he created his home and studio and continues to live and work. 

Selected Works

Selected Works Thumbnails
Untitled, 2002
Fiberglass, rope and acrylic
40" x 120" x 28"
TG 1081

Untitled, 2002
Fiberglass, rope and acrylic
40″ x 120″ x 28″
TG 1081

Untitled, 2020-2022
Oil on canvas
75″ x 122"
TG 4558
 
Untitled, 2020-2022
Untitled, 2020-2022
Oil on canvas
75″ x 122"
TG 4558
 

Untitled, 2020-2022
Oil on canvas
75″ x 122″
TG 4558
 

Untitled, 2022
Earth and oil on canvas
40″ x 70″ | Framed: 41″ x 71″
TG 4559
Untitled, 2022
 
Untitled, 2022
Earth and oil on canvas
40″ x 70″ | Framed: 41″ x 71″
TG 4559

Untitled, 2022
Earth and oil on canvas
40″ x 70″ | Framed: 41″ x 71″
TG 4559

Untitled | 2022
Oil on canvas
49″ x 76″
TG 4560

Untitled | 2022
Oil on canvas
49″ x 76″
TG 4560

Nathikarai | 2022
Earth on canvas
34″ x 67″ 
TG 4535
Nathikarai, 2022
 
Nathikarai | 2022
Earth on canvas
34″ x 67″ 
TG 4535

Nathikarai | 2022
Earth on canvas
34″ x 67″ 
TG 4535

Lost light, 2022
Iron, terracotta, canvas, wood
76″ x 72″ x 13″
TG 4545
Lost light, 2022
 
Lost light, 2022
Iron, terracotta, canvas, wood
76″ x 72″ x 13″
TG 4545

Lost light, 2022
Iron, terracotta, canvas, wood
76″ x 72″ x 13″
TG 4545

Drift, 2022
Earth, cast fiberglass, wood
78″ x 78″ x 2.5″  | Installation dimensions variable
TG 4564
Drift, 2022
 
Drift, 2022
Earth, cast fiberglass, wood
78″ x 78″ x 2.5″  | Installation dimensions variable
TG 4564

Drift, 2022
Earth, cast fiberglass, wood
78″ x 78″ x 2.5″  | Installation dimensions variable
TG 4564

Blown Away, 2021
Sandstone
In 9 parts: 18” x 14” x 14” | 22.5” x 18” x 17” | 24” x 16” x 16” | 18” x 18” x 13.5” | 18” x 17.5” x 13” 21” x 18.5” x 16.5” | 21” x 14” x 15” | 24” x 14” x 16.5” | 24.5” x 16.5” x 16.5”
TG 4549

Blown Away, 2021
Sandstone
In 9 parts: 18” x 14” x 14” | 22.5” x 18” x 17” | 24” x 16” x 16” | 18” x 18” x 13.5” | 18” x 17.5” x 13” 21” x 18.5” x 16.5” | 21” x 14” x 15” | 24” x 14” x 16.5” | 24.5” x 16.5” x 16.5”
TG 4549

Time twist, 2022
Cast iron
42.5″ x 17″ x 17″
TG 4567
Time twist | 2022
 
Time twist, 2022
Cast iron
42.5″ x 17″ x 17″
TG 4567

Time twist, 2022
Cast iron
42.5″ x 17″ x 17″
TG 4567

Untitled, 2022
Terracotta, pigments and concrete
25″ x 25″ x 14″
TG 4861

Untitled, 2022
Terracotta, pigments and concrete
25″ x 25″ x 14″
TG 4861

Cloud Line, 2022
Acrylic, pigments and earth on canvas
49” x 49”
TG 4854
Cloud Line, 2022
Cloud Line, 2022
Acrylic, pigments and earth on canvas
49” x 49”
TG 4854

Cloud Line, 2022
Acrylic, pigments and earth on canvas
49” x 49”
TG 4854

Trapped in, 2018 - 2019
Earth, pigments on canvas
44" x 44"
TG 4085
Trapped in
Trapped in (Detail)
Trapped in
Trapped in, 2018 - 2019
Earth, pigments on canvas
44" x 44"
TG 4085

Trapped in, 2018 - 2019
Earth, pigments on canvas
44″ x 44″
TG 4085

Time Line, 2022
Sumi ink, indigo, earth and pigments on canvas
60″ x 58″
TG 4278
Time Line, 2022
 
Time Line, 2022
Sumi ink, indigo, earth and pigments on canvas
60″ x 58″
TG 4278

Time Line, 2022
Sumi ink, indigo, earth and pigments on canvas
60″ x 58″
TG 4278

Dark Light, 2022
Soot, iron and pigments on board
48” x 48” 
TG 4536
 
Dark Light, 2022
Dark Light, 2022
Soot, iron and pigments on board
48” x 48” 
TG 4536
 

Dark Light, 2022
Soot, iron and pigments on board
48” x 48” 
TG 4536
 

Untitled, 2020
Earth on canvas
28″ x 20″
TG 4275
Untitled, 2020
Untitled, 2020
Earth on canvas
28″ x 20″
TG 4275

Untitled, 2020
Earth on canvas
28″ x 20″
TG 4275

Pulse, 2020
Pigments and acrylic on canvas
117.5″ x 77.5″
TG 4277
Pulse, 2020
 
Pulse, 2020
Pigments and acrylic on canvas
117.5″ x 77.5″
TG 4277

Pulse, 2020
Pigments and acrylic on canvas
117.5″ x 77.5″
TG 4277

Withhold, 2018
Sandstone
22” x 32” x 16”
TG 4080

Withhold, 2018
Sandstone
22” x 32” x 16”
TG 4080

Study for a liquid mountain, 2017-18
Fiberglass and iron
111" x 56" x 56"
TG 3950
Study for a liquid mountain (Detail)
Study for a liquid mountain
Study for a liquid mountain, 2017-18
Fiberglass and iron
111" x 56" x 56"
TG 3950

Study for a liquid mountain, 2017-18
Fiberglass and iron
111″ x 56″ x 56″
TG 3950

I was like you, you will be like me, 2018 - 2019
Clay and cast fiberglass
7" x 73.5" x 4.5"
TG 4081
I was like you, you will be like me
I was like you, you will be like me (Detail)
I was like you, you will be like me, 2018 - 2019
Clay and cast fiberglass
7" x 73.5" x 4.5"
TG 4081

I was like you, you will be like me, 2018 - 2019
Clay and cast fiberglass
7″ x 73.5″ x 4.5″
TG 4081

Under current, 2015
Acrylic on cast fiberglass
14" x 29" x 2"
TG 3735
Under current
Under current, 2015
Acrylic on cast fiberglass
14" x 29" x 2"
TG 3735

Under current, 2015
Acrylic on cast fiberglass
14″ x 29″ x 2″
TG 3735

Rain in the midnight, 2015-16
Graphite and acrylic on cast fiberglass
45" x 84" x 3"
TG 3729
Rain in the midnight, 2015-16
Rain in the midnight, 2015-16
Graphite and acrylic on cast fiberglass
45" x 84" x 3"
TG 3729

Rain in the midnight, 2015-16
Graphite and acrylic on cast fiberglass
45″ x 84″ x 3″
TG 3729

Wind Curve, 2018
Natural indigo pigments on resin cast
36" x 44"
TG 4041
Wind Curve, 2018
 
Wind Curve (Detail)
Wind Curve, 2018
Natural indigo pigments on resin cast
36" x 44"
TG 4041

Wind Curve, 2018
Natural indigo pigments on resin cast
36″ x 44″
TG 4041

Layers of wind, lines of time, 2013-14
Sandstone
35" x 31" x 21.5"
TG 3549
Layers of wind, lines of time, 2013-14
Layers of wind, lines of time, 2013-14
Sandstone
35" x 31" x 21.5"
TG 3549

Layers of wind, lines of time, 2013-14
Sandstone
35″ x 31″ x 21.5″
TG 3549

Surge, 2013
Sandstone
14" x 23" x 47"
TG 3544
Surge, 2013
Surge, 2013
Sandstone
14" x 23" x 47"
TG 3544

Surge, 2013
Sandstone
14″ x 23″ x 47″
TG 3544

Body as shell, 2011-2015
Sandstone
5.5" x 19" x 31.5"
TG 3731

 

Body as shell, 2011-2015
Sandstone
5.5″ x 19″ x 31.5″
TG 3731

Sk(in), 2009-2011
Iron and brass
105" x 99" x 99”
TG 2386
Sk(in)
Sk(in)
Sk(in) (Detail)
Sk(in), 2009-2011
Iron and brass
105" x 99" x 99”
TG 2386

Sk(in), 2009-2011
Iron and brass
105″ x 99″ x 99”
TG 2386

Dead-line, 2011
Iron
48" x 19" x 105"
TG 2742
Dead-line (detail)
Dead-line (Detail)
Dead-line, 2011
Iron
48" x 19" x 105"
TG 2742

Dead-line, 2011
Iron
48″ x 19″ x 105″
TG 2742

Knots, 2011
Iron
153" x 24" x 36”
TG 2739
Knots
Knots (Detail)
Knots, 2011
Iron
153" x 24" x 36”
TG 2739

Knots, 2011
Iron
153″ x 24″ x 36”
TG 2739

Into One, 2011-14
Cast aluminum
72” x 48” x 42”
TG 3374
Into One
Into One
Into One (Detail)
Into One
Into One
Into One, 2011-14
Cast aluminum
72” x 48” x 42”
TG 3374

Into One, 2011-14
Cast aluminum
72” x 48” x 42”
TG 3374

Nothing From My Hands, 2010-2011
Fiberglass and acrylic
480" x 13" x 144"
TG 2732
Nothing From My Hands (Detail)
Nothing From My Hands (Detail)
Nothing From My Hands (Detail)
Nothing From My Hands (Detail)
Nothing From My Hands (Detail)
Nothing From My Hands (Detail)
Nothing From My Hands (Detail)
Nothing From My Hands, 2010-2011
Fiberglass and acrylic
480" x 13" x 144"
TG 2732

Nothing From My Hands, 2010-2011
Fiberglass and acrylic
480″ x 13″ x 144″
TG 2732

Nothing from my hands, 2011-2012
Granite
64" x 54" x 67"
TG 2737
Nothing from my hands
Nothing from my hands
Nothing from my hands
Nothing from my hands (Detail)
Nothing from my hands, 2011-2012
Granite
64" x 54" x 67"
TG 2737

Nothing from my hands, 2011-2012
Granite
64″ x 54″ x 67″
TG 2737

Hidden Waves, 2008

Fiberglass and Acrylic

12 x 12 (Each of 12)
Hidden Waves (Detail)
Hidden Waves (Detail)
Hidden Waves (Detail)
Hidden Waves, 2008

Fiberglass and Acrylic

12 x 12 (Each of 12)

Hidden Waves, 2008

Fiberglass and Acrylic

12 x 12 (Each of 12)

Kaayam, 2008
Installation in four parts
Fiberglass, wood and acrylic
Dimensions variable
TG 1889
Kaayam (Detail)
Kaayam (Detail)
Kaayam (Detail)
Kaayam (Detail)
Kaayam, 2008
Installation in four parts
Fiberglass, wood and acrylic
Dimensions variable
TG 1889

Kaayam, 2008
Installation in four parts
Fiberglass, wood and acrylic
Dimensions variable
TG 1889

The Tree Inside, 2006-2007
Fiberglass, silicone, charcoal on paper
Cast: 138” x 47” x 83” | Drawing: 58” x 76” 
TG 1495
The Tree Inside, 2006-2007
 
The Tree Inside, 2006-2007
 
The Tree Inside, 2006-2007
 
The Tree Inside, 2006-2007
Fiberglass, silicone, charcoal on paper
Cast: 138” x 47” x 83” | Drawing: 58” x 76” 
TG 1495

The Tree Inside, 2006-2007
Fiberglass, silicone, charcoal on paper
Cast: 138” x 47” x 83” | Drawing: 58” x 76” 
TG 1495

Shell as a Body, 2007
Fiberglass, wood, acrylic
18” x 21” x 8”
TG 1553
 
Shell as a Body (Detail)
Shell as a Body, 2007
Fiberglass, wood, acrylic
18” x 21” x 8”
TG 1553
 

Shell as a Body, 2007
Fiberglass, wood, acrylic
18” x 21” x 8”
TG 1553
 

Shadow of the Shadow of the Shadow, 2007
Fiberglass, wood, acrylic
49" x 150" x 17"
TG 1547
Shadow of the Shadow of the Shadow (Detail)
Shadow of the Shadow of the Shadow (Detail)
Shadow of the Shadow of the Shadow (Detail)
Shadow of the Shadow of the Shadow, 2007
Fiberglass, wood, acrylic
49" x 150" x 17"
TG 1547

Shadow of the Shadow of the Shadow, 2007
Fiberglass, wood, acrylic
49″ x 150″ x 17″
TG 1547

Link, 2009
String, hook and magnet
52" x 71" x 71"
TG 2028
Link (Detail)
Link, 2009
String, hook and magnet
52" x 71" x 71"
TG 2028

Link, 2009
String, hook and magnet
52″ x 71″ x 71″
TG 2028

In, But Out, 2005
Fiberglass cast from self and acrylic
78" x 32" x 8"
TG 1289
In, But Out
In, But Out, 2005
Fiberglass cast from self and acrylic
78" x 32" x 8"
TG 1289

In, But Out, 2005
Fiberglass cast from self and acrylic
78″ x 32″ x 8″
TG 1289

Untitled, 2004
Cast from self, sand fiberglass, evaporating compound, acrylic and wood
18" x 24" x 20"
TG 1201

 
Untitled
Untitled (Detail)
Untitled (Detail)
Untitled, 2004
Cast from self, sand fiberglass, evaporating compound, acrylic and wood
18" x 24" x 20"
TG 1201

 

Untitled, 2004
Cast from self, sand fiberglass, evaporating compound, acrylic and wood
18″ x 24″ x 20″
TG 1201

Self in Progress, 2002
Fiberglass cast from self, cloth, acrylic, wood
45" x 33.5" x 19"
TG 1080
Self in Progress
Self in Progress
Self in Progress, 2002
Fiberglass cast from self, cloth, acrylic, wood
45" x 33.5" x 19"
TG 1080

Self in Progress, 2002
Fiberglass cast from self, cloth, acrylic, wood
45″ x 33.5″ x 19″
TG 1080

Untitled, 2004
Fiberglass, acrylic, rope, dust
58" x 134" x 5.5"
TG 1205
Untitled (Detail)
Untitled
Untitled, 2004
Fiberglass, acrylic, rope, dust
58" x 134" x 5.5"
TG 1205

Untitled, 2004
Fiberglass, acrylic, rope, dust
58″ x 134″ x 5.5″
TG 1205

Untitled, 2002
Fiberglass, rope and acrylic
40" x 120" x 28"
TG 1081

Untitled, 2002
Fiberglass, rope and acrylic
40″ x 120″ x 28″
TG 1081

Untitled, 2020-2022
Oil on canvas
75″ x 122"
TG 4558
 
Untitled, 2020-2022
Untitled, 2020-2022
Oil on canvas
75″ x 122"
TG 4558
 

Untitled, 2020-2022
Oil on canvas
75″ x 122″
TG 4558
 

the space, in between
the space, in between
Rummana Hussain, N.N. Rimzon, Sheila Makhijani, Al-An deSouza, Alwar Balasubramaniam, Ranjani Shettar, Muhanned Cader, Kartik Sood August 31, 2024 - January 7, 2025 Talwar Gallery, New Delhi
Alwar Balasubramaniam
Alwar Balasubramaniam
Touch of Air, Traces of Time June 8, 2024 - December 20, 2024 Talwar Gallery, New York
Alwar Balasubramaniam
Alwar Balasubramaniam
Afterlives: Contemporary Art in the Byzantine Crypt The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY January 29, 2024 - January 25, 2026
Alwar Balasubramaniam
Alwar Balasubramaniam
Mirror on the ground Talwar Gallery, New Delhi February 7 - December 30, 2023
From Three, Two
From Three, Two
N.N. Rimzon, Alwar Balasubramaniam, Ranjani Shettar Talwar Gallery, New York September 15 - December 17, 2022
Alwar Balasubramaniam
Alwar Balasubramaniam
Knowledge of the Past Is the Key to the Future The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY May 27, 2021 - November 30, 2023
as the wind blows
as the wind blows
20th Anniversary Exhibition Talwar Gallery, New York September 25, 2021 - February 12, 2022
Alwar Balasubramaniam
Alwar Balasubramaniam
Becoming Nature Talwar Gallery, New York May 4 - September 28, 2019
ALWAR BALASUBRAMANIAM
ALWAR BALASUBRAMANIAM
in Alchemy: Explorations in Indigo Kasturbhai Lalbhai Museum, Ahmedabad, India January 27 - March 31, 2019
ALWAR BALASUBRAMANIAM
ALWAR BALASUBRAMANIAM
Liquid Lake Mountain Talwar Gallery, New Delhi February 9, 2018 - January 5, 2019
ALWAR BALASUBRAMANIAM
ALWAR BALASUBRAMANIAM
Rain in the Midnight Talwar Gallery, New York March 5 – July 30, 2016
ALWAR BALASUBRAMANIAM
ALWAR BALASUBRAMANIAM
layers of wind, lines of time Talwar Gallery, New Delhi January 28 - August 29, 2015
Alwar Balasubramanium
Alwar Balasubramanium
in 18th Biennale of Sydney June 27 - September 16, 2012
ALWAR BALASUBRAMANIAM
ALWAR BALASUBRAMANIAM
Talwar Gallery, New York May 5, 2012 - March 9, 2013
ALWAR BALASUBRAMANIAM
ALWAR BALASUBRAMANIAM
Nothing From My Hands Talwar Gallery, New Delhi January 25 – November 10, 2012
Alwar Balasubramaniam
Alwar Balasubramaniam
Sk(in) The Phillips Collection, Washington DC May 26, 2011 - April 2012
On Line: Drawing Through the Twentieth Century
On Line: Drawing Through the Twentieth Century
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) New York, NY November 11, 2010 - February 7, 2011
ALWAR BALASUBRAMANIAM
ALWAR BALASUBRAMANIAM
(In)Between Talwar Gallery, New Delhi August 22, 2009 – March 5, 2010
Alwar Balasubramaniam
Alwar Balasubramaniam
Talwar Gallery, New York September 21 - December 15, 2007
ALWAR BALASUBRAMANIAM
ALWAR BALASUBRAMANIAM
(in)visible Talwar Gallery, New Delhi January 27 - March 31, 2007
Alwar Balasubramaniam and Ranjani Shettar
Alwar Balasubramaniam and Ranjani Shettar
Transitions and Transformations University Museum of Contemporary Art, UMass, Amherst March 5 - May 15, 2005
ALWAR BALASUBRAMANIAM
ALWAR BALASUBRAMANIAM
Into Thin Air Talwar Gallery, New York November 11, 2004 - January 22, 2005
ALWAR BALASUBRAMANIAM
ALWAR BALASUBRAMANIAM
Recent Work Talwar Gallery, New York May 11-June 18, 2002

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