AstaGuru’s ShowKeen exhibition in Hyderabad: Husain, Souza, Raza, and more

Hyderabad is witnessing a spurt in the number of art exhibitions that also showcase luxury lifestyle products in the form of jewellery, timepieces or furniture. The latest in that line is ShowKeen, a two-day exhibition organised by online art auction house AstaGuru. Following Mumbai and New Delhi, AstaGuru is now eyeing Hyderabad, with its first showcase on October 17 and 18 at HITEX Convention Centre.

ShowKeen will feature artworks by renowned artists including F.N. Souza, M.F. Husain, Krishen Khanna, Ram Kumar, S.H. Raza, and T. Vaikuntam, apart from works by contemporary artists such as Suryakant Lokhande, Tom Vattakuzhy, Jagannath Mohapatra, Chintan Zalavadia and others. The exhibition will also present patinated bronze sculptures inspired by M.F. Husain’s iconic imagery of horses.

Aparna Batra, chief business officer of AstaGuru, says the curation is centred on modern and contemporary Indian art, aiming to bring together established masters and contemporary practitioners to reflect the diverse artistic expression in India. “The intention is not to follow a singular theme, but to present a considered selection of works across periods, styles and practices, each with its own artistic and historical context,” she explains. 

The exhibition may foreground the works of renowned artists, but she points out that the intent is to encourage visitors to discover art beyond familiar names. “This also allows us to engage with Hyderabad’s cultural sensibilities and understand how its collector community relates to different facets of Indian art,” adds Aparna.

The Hyderabad edition of ShowKeen will bring together over 270 lots across modern and contemporary Indian art, fine and heirloom jewellery, luxury timepieces and limited-edition sculptures by Tyche. 

Aparna says that the exhibition factors in AstaGuru’s association with collectors from the city, but is not determined by buying patterns alone. “It is guided by a broader understanding of art, provenance, quality and the interests of a discerning collector base.” 

Speaking about the sculptural interpretation of M.F. Husain’s iconic imagery of horses, she says, “M.F. Husain’s horses are among the most recognisable motifs in Indian modern art, known for their energy, movement and expressive quality. With Tyche, AstaGuru’s luxury brand, we wanted to explore how this iconic imagery could be translated into a different medium while retaining the essence of his work.” 

The limited-edition patinated bronze sculptures have been developed under an exclusive licensing agreement with the Husain family. 

ShowKeen hopes to attract artists, collectors, architects, designers, and cultural communities, and will have guided walkthroughs.

(ShowKeen by AstaGuru will be on view on October 17 and 18, at HITEX Convention Centre, Hyderabad).