Walkthroughs
What The Camera Didn’t See
Gifts from the Chef, Alexander Gorlizki/Pink City Studio, 2023, USA; India, Pigment and gold on vintage photograph, Image: H. 22.2 cm, W. 27.3 cm
Ever wondered what the people in old photographs might have been thinking or why they often look so serious? Historical photographs can tell us a lot about the moment of their making, giving us glimpses into the architecture, decor, clothing, hierarchies and customs prevalent at the time. But what do they leave out?
Join us for a special interactive walkthrough of What The Camera Didn’t See led by the artist, Alexander Gorlizki. The exhibition brings together 23 artworks by Alexander Gorlizki and the Pink City Studio that reimagines the boundaries between photography and miniature painting, in response to photographs in the MAP collection. Learn more from the artist directly about the vivid imaginations that travel far beyond the frame of the camera lens and encounter a new, fresh and unique perspective on the past.
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Alexander Gorlizki
Alexander Gorlizki’s journey as an artist spans continents, centuries, and cultures. Born in London in 1967, Gorlizki studied Fine Art at Bristol Polytechnic, following which, he pursued an M.F.A in Sculpture at the Slade in London. Eventually, he migrated to New York, where he continues to live and work. Gorlizki’s early exposure to the world of art and design was thanks to his mother, who surrounded him with a rich tapestry of embroidery, jewellery, carpets, and handicrafts from Central Asia. This exposure eventually led him to the discovery of Indian miniatures, specifically from the Mughal school. What truly captivated him about these small sized wonders were the delicate forms and gem-like colours they contained. This eventually became his gateway to an alternative dreamscape.
Gorlizki’s approach to Indian miniatures is far from conventional. He focuses on reimagining static, formal photographs from colonial India. In 1996, he opened an atelier in Jaipur’s Old City with Riyaz Uddin, a master painter with a perfect command of a technique that goes back over 600 years. Together, they created their own visual language, seamlessly bridging the gaps between time and space, while simultaneously blending traditional artistry with contemporary influences.
