Photo Feature

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 

Mark Him (Second Half) at Gallery 88, Kolkata

Internationally acclaimed Indian contemporary artist Riyas Komu’s latest solo titled ‘Mark Him (Second Half)’ had a gala opening at Gallery 88, Kolkata on 20th June 2008. Riyas Komu has conceived this show as a tribute to the under-sung heroes of Indian football team. Riyas, an ardent football fan and a former player, had presented the first part of this project a year before in Mumbai.

Kolkata, a land of football players and fans, welcomed Riyas’ show with a lot of love and affection. The current national football team including the star of all times, Baichung Butia was flown in Kolkata for attending the opening. Perhaps, for the first time in Indian art history, Riyas’ show connected two worlds; that of art and football. It must be a record that any Indian contemporary art exposition was reported extensively not by the regular art writers but by the sports journalists. The national football team members present there at the opening spoke to the media about their association with the artist and the artist’s never-say-die attitude in following the players wherever they went to play and practice. They remembered the moments they shared with young artist during the last two years.

Artists, art lovers, collectors, gallerists and friends came in full force to attend the opening despite the sweltering climate of Kolkata during these days.

We present a photo feature on the opening day of the show, ‘Mark Him (Second Half)’