PRESS RELEASE
Unrestrained Fantasies; solo exhibition
SANATAN SAHA
Aicon Gallery, Palo Alto
May 9 – June 7
Opening reception, Friday May 9, 2008, 6-9 p.m.
PALO ALTO, Calif., May 9, 2008- Aicon Gallery, 535 Bryant Street, Palo Alto will present a solo exhibition of the works of Sanatan Saha from May 9 through June 7, 2008. An opening reception will be held on Friday, May 9 from 6-9 p.m. The show will be the artist's first solo exhibition with Aicon Gallery. His work has been shown in a past group exhibition curated by Jayashree Chakravarty at Aicon Gallery, New York, entitled "Eastern Edge" (February, 2007).
Hailing from the traditionally representative fine arts community of Shantiniketan, Sanatan Saha takes a decidedly untraditional approach to his subject matter. Saha is a storyteller in the least literal sense, layering abstract form atop meticulously rendered abstract form. The result is a mosaic of intricately pieced-together memories, both explorative and ephemeral at the same time. His pictorial introspection ranges from scrutiny of the human form, with its sharp profiles and darkly emphasized features, to his almost tribal renderings of animals and plant life. A marked use of transparency through the playful interweaving of figures pulls together his multitudes of elements into one coherent image, while a limited palette and underlying geometric structure lend direction to the viewer's eye. Thus, while Saha's pieces may at first glance call up feelings of discord and overwhelmingness, upon closer inspection it is clear that the artist offers the viewer something far more rewarding: a penetrating, almost dreamlike glimpse into his own speculations.
Born in 1975, Sanatan completed both his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts at Kala Bhavana in Santiniketan. He has studied closely under the celebrated painter Jayshree Chakravarty and his work has been exhibited in numerous group shows across India and the United States. In addition, Sanatan has been awarded a variety of honors and scholarships for his excellence in the fine arts.
For further information and images please contact Shona Dutta, Gallery Director, at 650.321.4900 or shona@aicongallery.com