Mango Man. Allegories of political propositions: Salik Ansari, K.G. Babu, Sudhakar Chippa, Satyanarayana Gavara, Rajyashri Goody, Pavan Kavitkar, and Sumakshi Singh.

193 Gallery is proud to collaborate with the curatorial collective TAK Contemporary for its inaugural 2025 exhibition, Mango Man. This exhibition will showcase works by seven Indian artists in Paris for the first time: Salik Ansari, K.G. Babu, Sudhakar Chippa, Satyanarayana Gavara, Rajyashri Goody, Pavan Kavitkar, and Sumakshi Singh. 

Mango Man delves into the concept of “Common Man” questioning the socio-political norms of Indian society. The title is a satirical translation of the Hindi phrase Aam Aadmi, which refers to the Common Man— a term that has become emblematic in Indian political discourse. Curated by TAK Contemporary, the group exhibition features around 20 artworks, showcasing a selection of paintings, sculptures, prints, mixed media pieces, and two large-scale installations.

The definition of 'Aam Aadmi' derives from socio-economic identities such as class, caste, religion, language, gender, and region. Representing the middle and lower strata of society, they are often preoccupied with everyday necessities, have unequal access to infrastructure and opportunities, and endure systemic discrimination.

Mango Man takes a multi-faceted approach on critical themes such as food politics, caste discrimination, urban-rural migration, and the human-nature conflict and its impact on personal and social memories. While a common man is affected by social, political, and economical fluctuations, they remain the observant and silent witnesses of their surroundings. The group exhibition provides a critical examination of Indian society, offering personal reflections and collective narratives through a range of artistic practices.

 

Opening on Saturday, February 1st 2025, from 5PM to 9PM.