The Sovereign Asian Art Prize, a prestigious international accolade celebrating innovative contemporary art from Asia, has unveiled its shortlist featuring seven exceptional Indian artists: Harsha Durugadda, Ishita Chakraborty, Rahul Kumar, Ravikumar Kashi, Sangita Maity, Mayur Vayeda, and Tushar Vayeda (the Vayeda Brothers).
Harsha Durugadda (b. 1989, Hyderabad)
From a family of sculptors, Harsha Durugadda crafts large-scale interactive sculptures using wood, marble, and steel, exploring sound, vibration, and human-material interplay inspired by geology and architecture. A Rio Tinto Sculpture Award winner (2017), his works are held in the British Museum and Sotheby’s collections.
Ishita Chakraborty (b. 1989, West Bengal)
Based between Switzerland and India, Ishita Chakraborty’s multidisciplinary works—drawing, installation, sound, and poetry—address colonial trauma, displacement, and climate justice from a subaltern perspective. A Manor Kunst Prize 2024 recipient, she exhibits with Galerie Peter Kilchmann.
Rahul Kumar (b. 1976, Delhi)
Ceramic artist, curator, and Fulbright Scholar Rahul Kumar has shaped clay for over two decades. His vessels and installations appear in Sotheby’s auctions and the Kiran Nadar Museum, complemented by editorial roles at STIR.
Ravikumar Kashi (b. 1968, Bangalore)
With expertise in painting, printmaking, and papermaking, Ravikumar Kashi probes meaning, memory, and association through process-driven works that bridge visuals and concepts.
Sangita Maity (b. 1989, Kolkata)
Sangita Maity collaborates with Chota Nagpur’s indigenous communities, confronting displacement and cultural erosion via printmaking. An Arte Laguna finalist (2024) and Khoj resident, she holds a Ministry of Culture Fellowship.
Mayur Vayeda and Tushar Vayeda (Vayeda Brothers, Ganjad, Maharashtra)
Warli descendants Mayur and Tushar Vayeda revitalize rice-paste traditions on vast scales and modern media, depicting nature and rituals. Active since 2011 under aunt Meenakshi’s guidance, they’ve shone in global residencies.
Sovereign Asian Art Prize will be announcing the winners soon.
Athmaja Biju is the Editor at Abir Pothi. She is a Translator and Writer working on Visual Culture.
