Thukral and Tagra have been working collaboratively since 2004. Their inspiration begins with the reality of traditional values transfused with their ideas of modern times in the context of the Punjabi culture of Northern India. These versatile artists play on the refined symbolism between advertising, branding, and domestic retail through their various mediums – painting, sculptures, installation and video. As such, the duo could be said to project the visual culture of the young Indian’s dreams and aspirations today.
Jiten Thukral
Born in 1976, in Jalandhar, Punjab, India, Thukral graduated with a Bachelor in Fine Arts from Chandigarh Art College and a Masters in Fine Arts from New Delhi College of Art.
Sumir Tagra
Born in 1979, in New Delhi, India, Sumir, Tagra earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New Delhi College of Art and a Post Graduate degree from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.
Thukral & Tagra’s works have been widely exhibited worldwide including the Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris; Helsinki Art Museum Tennis Palace, Finland; Kennedy Center, Washington DC; SESC Pompie, Sao Paulo; and The Museum of Contemporary Art, Shanghai. Thukral & Tagra’s solo exhibitions include Hilger Contemporary, Vienna; Bose Pacia, New York City; BTAP Gallery, Tokyo, Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, Beijing, Art Plural Gallery, Singapore; Singapore Tyler Print Institute, Singapore; and most recently at Bau Daji Lad Museum, Bombay. In 2007, Nature Morte and Bose Pacia presented their solo installation entitled “Adolescere-Domus” in the Art Statements section of Art Basel. They were included in a large exhibition of contemporary art from India at the Mori Art Museum, Tokyo, which travelled to the Essl Museum in Vienna in 2008. The duo was also represented at the Vancouver Sculpture Biennale and the Asia Pacific Triennial at the Queensland Art Gallery in Brisbane, Australia. In 2011, they were part of the touring exhibition “Indian Highway IV” at the Lyon Museum of Contemporary Art in France. The artists currently live and work in New Delhi, India.