Sohan Qadri

  • Nitya

    Nitya
  • Prana

    Prana
  • Agamas III

    Agamas III
  • Amala VII

    Amala VII
  • Arti IV

    Arti IV
  • Amisha VI

    Amisha VI
  • Nadi IV

    Nadi IV
  • Puja III

    Puja III
  • Nitya
  • Prana
  • Agamas III
  • Amala VII
  • Arti IV
  • Amisha VI
  • Nadi IV
  • Puja III

Sohan Qadri and The Sundaram Tagore Gallery

Born in Chachoki, Punjab, India, in 1932, Sohan Qadri was a poet, painter and Tantric yogi. He is perhaps best known for his luminous, dye-infused works on heavy paper, which explore the notion of emptiness or voids. Relying on a language of orifices and elongated paths or lines, Qadri abandoned representation in search of transcendence. He was particularly inspired by Vajrayana or Tantric Buddhism, which emphasizes the notion of sunyata or emptiness. Qadri's minimalist compositions on paper are symbolic of this empty space or void from which seeds-the punctures-arise. The seeds are primordial symbols representing the self in the universe, the notion of creation, and a sexual union.

To begin his process, Qadri would bathe thick intaglio paper in acid-free water. Once it was swollen with liquid, he would rhythmically score the surface with various gouging and cutting tools, carving in stages while applying inks and dyes. Imbued with vibrant hues, the serrated surfaces possess a strong sense of energy and rhythm. In the artist's hands, the very nature of paper was transformed from a flat, two-dimensional surface into a three-dimensional medium.

Qadri's work has been exhibited at the Sundaram Tagore Gallery spaces several times during the last decade. Established in New York City in 2000, the gallery is devoted to examining the exchange of ideas between Western and non-Western cultures. With spaces in New York City (Chelsea and Madison Avenue), Singapore and Hong Kong, they focus on mounting exhibitions and hosting not-for-profit events that encourage spiritual, social and aesthetic dialogues.

Buy the latest issue

The Resurgence Trust is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (5821436) and a charity registered in England and Wales (1120414). The Resurgence Trust publishes Resurgence & Ecologist magazine, Resurgence.org, ResurgenceEvents.org and TheEcologist.org to promote ecological sustainability, social justice and spiritual values.

Donate | Sign in | Help with my account and signing in

© The Resurgence Trust | Terms & Conditions | Privacy | GDPR | Press Complaints | Sitemap | Contact Us