EN · Thaddaeus Ropac · London Paris Salzburg Milan Seoul · Preview Art Basel Qatar · Artiste Raqib Shaw · Biographie · Gallery Photo ·Press Release Thaddaeus Ropac
'My work exists on two levels, in the relationship between the background and the foreground, and how they talk to each other. It's also a satire on human society and the human condition in general.' Raqib Shaw Raqib Shaw The Libricide of the Pragmatic Pessimist, 2024 Acrylic liner, enamel, and graphite on paper 68 x 47 cm (26.77 x 18.50 in) Born in Calcutta, India, and raised in Kashmir, Raqib Shaw comes from a family of merchants and his early experience of living among antiques, jewellery and exotic fabrics and carpets has informed his highly intricate and brightly coloured paintings. He creates opulent visions of unearthly realms populated by cavorting monkey kings, leather-strapped centaurs and fearsome tiger-headed and zebra-mounted warriors. The world he portrays is beautiful, terrifying, debauched, luxurious and steeped in mythology, with a thrilling synergy between the fantastical imagery and the delicacy of his technique. Raqib Shaw Winter Landsc...