Skip to content

ALWAR BALASUBRAMANIAM

Working alongside nature as much as on or within it, Bala reveals the beauty and systems governing even the least perceptible shifts in our environment. Offering an encounter with these elemental forces, Bala’s works envelop and immerse, extending us a chance to commune with nature full body. In a monumental painting "Flown Away" the vivid, inky depths and filmy streaks of indigo pigment attest to gravity’s ability to carve trails into topographies.

ALWAR BALASUBRAMANIAM - Touch of Air, Traces of Time - Viewing Room - Talwar Gallery Viewing Room

Wind Curve | 2023
Fiberglass and acrylic
45″ x 47″ 
TG 5022

Bala inserts his works directly into the processes that work tectonically to give shape to our environment: erosion, gravity, condensation, wind, decay and regrowth. "Wind Curve," created over months, employ movements of air: terrains of deposited dust and pigment that become timescapes.

ALWAR BALASUBRAMANIAM - Touch of Air, Traces of Time - Viewing Room - Talwar Gallery Viewing Room

Untitled | 2023
Acrylic and ink on canvas
55″ x 42″ 
TG 5007

Bala advances his exploration with evaporative processes in new works, where he creates and controls the environment while allowing chance to “happen” registering the depths and residue of pigments. He pushes this self-reflexive turn still further where asymmetrical fields index the ways the canvas has been lifted from its armature, made dynamic – folded, creased and gathered over time.

ALWAR BALASUBRAMANIAM - Touch of Air, Traces of Time - Viewing Room - Talwar Gallery Viewing Room

Trace | 2024
Pigment, ink and oil on canvas
27.5″ x 20″ 
TG 5041

ALWAR BALASUBRAMANIAM - Touch of Air, Traces of Time - Viewing Room - Talwar Gallery Viewing Room

Self Impression | 2024
Indigo and ink on canvas
30″ x 22″ 
TG 5039

Complex but unified, the lines and layers of Bala’s work reveal the energies that, although imperceptible in any given instant, are constantly shaping and re-shaping the material world.

Slide-Show

Slide-Show Thumbnails
Flown Away | 2023
Indigo on canvas
75.5″ x 122″
TG 4988

Flown Away | 2023
Indigo on canvas
75.5″ x 122″
TG 4988

Inquire
Wind Curve | 2023
Fiberglass and acrylic, In Artist's Frame
46″ x 47″ 
TG 5022

Wind Curve | 2023
Fiberglass and acrylic, In Artist's Frame
46″ x 47″ 
TG 5022

Inquire
Cracked Up | 2023-24
Earth, acrylic on wood panel
41″ x 31″ x 4″
TG 5020

Cracked Up | 2023-24
Earth, acrylic on wood panel
41″ x 31″ x 4″
TG 5020

Inquire
Untitled | 2023
Acrylic and ink on canvas
55" x 42"
TG 5007

Untitled | 2023
Acrylic and ink on canvas
55" x 42"
TG 5007

Inquire
Self Impression | 2024
Indigo and ink on canvas, In Artist's Frame
30″ x 22″ 
TG 5039

Self Impression | 2024
Indigo and ink on canvas, In Artist's Frame
30″ x 22″ 
TG 5039

Inquire
Trace | 2024
Pigment, ink and oil on canvas
27.5″ x 20″ 
TG 5041

Trace | 2024
Pigment, ink and oil on canvas
27.5″ x 20″ 
TG 5041

Inquire
Untitled | 2021-23
Oil on board
8″ x 10″ 
TG 4557

Untitled | 2021-23
Oil on board
8″ x 10″ 
TG 4557

Inquire
Untitled | 2020-23
Oil on canvas mounted on wood, In Artist's Frame
11″ x 36″ 
TG 4561

Untitled | 2020-23
Oil on canvas mounted on wood, In Artist's Frame
11″ x 36″ 
TG 4561

Inquire
Traces | 2023
Fiberglass and acrylic
40″ x 13.25″ x 3″ (In 3 parts)
TG 5006
Edition of 3

Traces | 2023
Fiberglass and acrylic
40″ x 13.25″ x 3″ (In 3 parts)
TG 5006
Edition of 3

Inquire
Nothing Holds | 2023-24
Copper
6″ x 6″ x 5″
TG 5035
Edition of 3

Nothing Holds | 2023-24
Copper
6″ x 6″ x 5″
TG 5035
Edition of 3

Inquire
Time twist | 2024
Resin and iron dust
9″ x 10″ x 28″
TG 5040

Time twist | 2024
Resin and iron dust
9″ x 10″ x 28″
TG 5040

Inquire
Rock Bloom | 2023
Resin, iron and stone dust
26.75" x 36" x 24"
TG 5047

Rock Bloom | 2023
Resin, iron and stone dust
26.75" x 36" x 24"
TG 5047

Inquire
Flown Away | 2023
Indigo on canvas
75.5″ x 122″
TG 4988

Flown Away | 2023
Indigo on canvas
75.5″ x 122″
TG 4988

Wind Curve | 2023
Fiberglass and acrylic, In Artist's Frame
46″ x 47″ 
TG 5022

Wind Curve | 2023
Fiberglass and acrylic, In Artist's Frame
46″ x 47″ 
TG 5022

Cracked Up | 2023-24
Earth, acrylic on wood panel
41″ x 31″ x 4″
TG 5020

Cracked Up | 2023-24
Earth, acrylic on wood panel
41″ x 31″ x 4″
TG 5020

Untitled | 2023
Acrylic and ink on canvas
55" x 42"
TG 5007

Untitled | 2023
Acrylic and ink on canvas
55" x 42"
TG 5007

Self Impression | 2024
Indigo and ink on canvas, In Artist's Frame
30″ x 22″ 
TG 5039

Self Impression | 2024
Indigo and ink on canvas, In Artist's Frame
30″ x 22″ 
TG 5039

Trace | 2024
Pigment, ink and oil on canvas
27.5″ x 20″ 
TG 5041

Trace | 2024
Pigment, ink and oil on canvas
27.5″ x 20″ 
TG 5041

Untitled | 2021-23
Oil on board
8″ x 10″ 
TG 4557

Untitled | 2021-23
Oil on board
8″ x 10″ 
TG 4557

Untitled | 2020-23
Oil on canvas mounted on wood, In Artist's Frame
11″ x 36″ 
TG 4561

Untitled | 2020-23
Oil on canvas mounted on wood, In Artist's Frame
11″ x 36″ 
TG 4561

Traces | 2023
Fiberglass and acrylic
40″ x 13.25″ x 3″ (In 3 parts)
TG 5006
Edition of 3

Traces | 2023
Fiberglass and acrylic
40″ x 13.25″ x 3″ (In 3 parts)
TG 5006
Edition of 3

Nothing Holds | 2023-24
Copper
6″ x 6″ x 5″
TG 5035
Edition of 3

Nothing Holds | 2023-24
Copper
6″ x 6″ x 5″
TG 5035
Edition of 3

Time twist | 2024
Resin and iron dust
9″ x 10″ x 28″
TG 5040

Time twist | 2024
Resin and iron dust
9″ x 10″ x 28″
TG 5040

Rock Bloom | 2023
Resin, iron and stone dust
26.75" x 36" x 24"
TG 5047

Rock Bloom | 2023
Resin, iron and stone dust
26.75" x 36" x 24"
TG 5047

“Nature” here is understood beyond its use as a material or a field for inspiration, instead Bala is interested in the processes that bind all matter together in an ongoing cycle of exchange and movement. 

Bala’s practice is characterized by its wide-ranging exploration across media, perhaps most notable in this exhibition is his return to printmaking, marking a reengagement with a medium that characterized the earliest moments of the artist’s career while he was a teenager. However, with reflecting more recent shifts in his practice including his turn towards a collaborative relationship with the natural world.

Thumb-Show

Thumb-Show Thumbnails
Untitled | 2023
Etching on zinc
7″ x 5″ | Framed: 18 3/4" x 14 7/8"
TG 5031
Edition of 6
 

Untitled | 2023
Etching on zinc
7″ x 5″ | Framed: 18 3/4" x 14 7/8"
TG 5031
Edition of 6
 

Inquire
Untitled | 2023
Etching on zinc
7″ x 5″ | Framed: 18 3/4" x 14 7/8"
TG 5030
Edition of 8
 

Untitled | 2023
Etching on zinc
7″ x 5″ | Framed: 18 3/4" x 14 7/8"
TG 5030
Edition of 8
 

Inquire
Untitled | 2023
Etching on zinc
7″ x 5″ | Framed: 18 3/4" x 14 7/8"
TG 5027
Edition of 6
 

Untitled | 2023
Etching on zinc
7″ x 5″ | Framed: 18 3/4" x 14 7/8"
TG 5027
Edition of 6
 

Inquire
Untitled | 2023
Etching on zinc
4.5″ x 7″ | Framed: 15" x 18.5"
TG 5029
Edition of 9
 

Untitled | 2023
Etching on zinc
4.5″ x 7″ | Framed: 15" x 18.5"
TG 5029
Edition of 9
 

Inquire
Untitled | 2023
Etching on zinc
4.5″ x 7″ | Framed: 15" x 18.5"
TG 5028
Edition of 9
 

Untitled | 2023
Etching on zinc
4.5″ x 7″ | Framed: 15" x 18.5"
TG 5028
Edition of 9
 

Inquire
Untitled | 2024
Etching on copper
7″ x 5″ | Framed: 18 3/4" x 14 7/8"
TG 5043
Edition of 7
 

Untitled | 2024
Etching on copper
7″ x 5″ | Framed: 18 3/4" x 14 7/8"
TG 5043
Edition of 7
 

Inquire
Untitled | 2024
Etching on copper
11″ x 22.5″ | Framed: 13 1/2" x 24 13/16"
TG 5044
Edition of 6
 

Untitled | 2024
Etching on copper
11″ x 22.5″ | Framed: 13 1/2" x 24 13/16"
TG 5044
Edition of 6
 

Inquire
Untitled | 2023
Etching on zinc
5″ x 10″ | Framed: 15" x 19.5"
TG 5032
Edition of 6

Untitled | 2023
Etching on zinc
5″ x 10″ | Framed: 15" x 19.5"
TG 5032
Edition of 6

Inquire
Untitled | 2023
Etching on copper
6″ x 6″ | Framed: 15 3/4" x 15 5/8"
TG 5026
Edition of 8

Untitled | 2023
Etching on copper
6″ x 6″ | Framed: 15 3/4" x 15 5/8"
TG 5026
Edition of 8

Inquire
Untitled | 2023
Etching on zinc
7″ x 5″ | Framed: 18 3/4" x 14 7/8"
TG 5031
Edition of 6
 

Untitled | 2023
Etching on zinc
7″ x 5″ | Framed: 18 3/4" x 14 7/8"
TG 5031
Edition of 6
 

Untitled | 2023
Etching on zinc
7″ x 5″ | Framed: 18 3/4" x 14 7/8"
TG 5030
Edition of 8
 

Untitled | 2023
Etching on zinc
7″ x 5″ | Framed: 18 3/4" x 14 7/8"
TG 5030
Edition of 8
 

Untitled | 2023
Etching on zinc
7″ x 5″ | Framed: 18 3/4" x 14 7/8"
TG 5027
Edition of 6
 

Untitled | 2023
Etching on zinc
7″ x 5″ | Framed: 18 3/4" x 14 7/8"
TG 5027
Edition of 6
 

Untitled | 2023
Etching on zinc
4.5″ x 7″ | Framed: 15" x 18.5"
TG 5029
Edition of 9
 

Untitled | 2023
Etching on zinc
4.5″ x 7″ | Framed: 15" x 18.5"
TG 5029
Edition of 9
 

Untitled | 2023
Etching on zinc
4.5″ x 7″ | Framed: 15" x 18.5"
TG 5028
Edition of 9
 

Untitled | 2023
Etching on zinc
4.5″ x 7″ | Framed: 15" x 18.5"
TG 5028
Edition of 9
 

Untitled | 2024
Etching on copper
7″ x 5″ | Framed: 18 3/4" x 14 7/8"
TG 5043
Edition of 7
 

Untitled | 2024
Etching on copper
7″ x 5″ | Framed: 18 3/4" x 14 7/8"
TG 5043
Edition of 7
 

Untitled | 2024
Etching on copper
11″ x 22.5″ | Framed: 13 1/2" x 24 13/16"
TG 5044
Edition of 6
 

Untitled | 2024
Etching on copper
11″ x 22.5″ | Framed: 13 1/2" x 24 13/16"
TG 5044
Edition of 6
 

Untitled | 2023
Etching on zinc
5″ x 10″ | Framed: 15" x 19.5"
TG 5032
Edition of 6

Untitled | 2023
Etching on zinc
5″ x 10″ | Framed: 15" x 19.5"
TG 5032
Edition of 6

Untitled | 2023
Etching on copper
6″ x 6″ | Framed: 15 3/4" x 15 5/8"
TG 5026
Edition of 8

Untitled | 2023
Etching on copper
6″ x 6″ | Framed: 15 3/4" x 15 5/8"
TG 5026
Edition of 8

Bala’s works have been featured in exhibitions and collections worldwide, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET), New York; The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York; The Phillips Collection, Washington, DC; Guggenheim Museum, New York; Mori Art Museum, Tokyo, Japan; Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA), New Delhi, India; Lalbhai Museum, Ahmedabad, India; Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, Washington; École des Beaux Arts, Paris, France; Essl Museum, Austria; National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, Australia, 1st Singapore Biennale; and 18th Sydney Biennale. In 2001 he was awarded the Joan Miro foundation prize accompanied by a solo exhibition. Bala has been a guest lecturer at the Art Department of Cornell University in Ithaca, NY and a featured speaker at TED.

Alwar Balasubramaniam (Bala) was born in 1971 in Tamil Nadu, India. He received a BFA from the Government College of Arts, Chennai, India, in 1995 after which he continued his studies in Edinburgh and Vienna. In 1998 he was artist in residence at The MacDowell Colony in NH after which he returned to Bangalore, where he lived and practiced till 2015. Subsequently Bala moved to the countryside near Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu where he created his home and studio and continues to live and work.

Currently Bala’s work is on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET), New York in
Afterlives: Contemporary Art in the Byzantine Crypt