Italian artist Roberto Rup Paolini unveils a transformative solo exhibition, “JYOT,” at 079|STORIES Ahmedabad, igniting dialogue on fire as a symbol of both destruction and renewal.
A Landmark Collaboration
“JYOT,” the first solo exhibition in India by Milan-based artist Roberto Rup Paolini, marks a pivotal moment in cross-cultural exchange between India and Italy. Curated by Caterina Corni and Giulia Restifo, the show is jointly presented by Ahmedabad’s dynamic contemporary space 079|STORIES and Casa degli Artisti, Milan, with support from the Consulate General of Italy, Mumbai, The Arts Family (London), and That’s Contemporary.
The Symbolic Power of Fire
Derived from the Sanskrit “Jyoti,” meaning “light,” the exhibition is both a conceptual and experiential exploration of fire—not only as a physical element, but as a spiritual force. For Paolini, fire is “more than a ritual element—it is a living metaphor for knowledge, purification, and existential truth”. His new body of work—paintings, charcoal drawings, photomontages, and a large-scale installation—invites viewers into an immersive journey where fire acts as both wound and cure, destruction and renewal.
Paolini’s works transcend mere symbolism. They ask us to confront the elemental paradox: is fire an ending, or a spark of beginning? Through ruptured forms and vibrant colors, his pieces embody both the chaos of devastation and the clarity of illumination. The exhibition’s installation turns the gallery into a contemplative passage “between darkness and illumination, forgetting and remembering, destruction and becoming,” encouraging guests to reflect on fire as a force that burns away what is false and reveals what truly matters.
This exhibition is the inaugural chapter of an ongoing cultural exchange. As Jyot ignites conversation in Ahmedabad, Casa degli Artisti in Milan readies to host Indian artist Vipul Prajapati for a residency in October, deepening the dialogue between Indian and Italian contemporary art landscapes.
About Roberto Rup Paolini
Paolini, born in Milan, is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans illustration, theatre, cinema, and art direction. As founder of Carboluce, dedicated to experimental cinema, his projects have traveled from ONOFF (Milan) to Artios Gallery (NY) and Hasita Gallery (Milan), with exhibitions across Italy and abroad. His practice investigates transformation, symbolism, and the intersection of visual and moving imagery.
079|STORIES: A Hub for Creative Dialogue
Co-founded by Purva and Kirat Damani, Ahmedabad’s 079|STORIES is celebrated for bridging established artistic legacies with emerging voices. Designed within the ethos of Padma Bhushan Shri Balkrishna V. Doshi, the gallery is devoted to fostering collaboration, experimentation, and new ways of seeing across generations and geographies.
Exhibition Details
- Exhibition Dates: August 23–September 7, 2025
- Gallery Hours: Monday–Saturday, 11:00 am–7:00 pm; Sunday by appointment only
“JYOT” is more than an exhibition—it is an invitation to reconsider the power of light in both art and life. Paolini’s passionate works ask: What does fire mean to us? Is it an end, or the birth of something new? In a time of global flux, “JYOT” offers a compelling meditation on transformation, connection, and the sacred energy that unites us all.
all works are courtesy of the artist.
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