Ashim Purkayastha is undoubtedly among India’s most versatile and eclectic contemporary artists. Especially sensational was his artistic engagement with the so-called “father of India,” Mahatma Gandhi, for which he was accused of “iconographic mockery.” Purkayastha has worked since 2002 on the series “Gandhi Man without Specs,” which in the meantime has gained particular fame. In this series, he designs among other things sheets of postage stamps as well as grotesquely excessive bank notes, on which Gandhi is portrayed as Hindu, as Muslim, as untouchable, laughing, crying and screaming. The artist himself grew up in North Indian Assam during the time of the civil war. His experiences with death, destruction and displacement have left behind traces in his artistic production. In his series, he pursues the question of what has become of India’s founding father, Gandhi, who was once the personification of peace and change. Gandhi as a man without characteristics – a label? Today, the iconic personality finds himself a likeness on bank notes, an advertisement figure or on postage stamps. Purkayastha handles the hero of the Republic critically. He integrates Gandhi on his large format tableaus in the manner of Pop-Art in serial, characterless form. Through artistic impetus, normal perception is inverted to its opposition. Via meditative Repetition, Purkayastha succeeds in resisting the risk of thoughtless iconization and he enters anew into a constructive dialogue with the “father” of India.

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