Manjari Sharma

Surface Tension
June 6 – July 15

A well-lit art gallery with white walls and wooden flooring. Various paintings are displayed on the walls, featuring abstract designs in shades of blue and green. A simple bench is placed in the center of the gallery space.
A gallery wall features a framed photograph of a person swimming underwater with their body partially visible due to light reflections. To the right, text reads "Margie Chapman - Surface Tension." The wall and floor are minimalist and neutral-toned.
A gallery room with white walls displays a series of framed photographs featuring aquatic scenes. The images are evenly spaced, creating a serene and minimalist atmosphere. The gallery has light wood flooring and overhead track lighting illuminating the artwork.
A minimalist gallery wall displaying three framed photographs of people swimming underwater. Each photo captures different poses of the swimmers in various shades of blue and green water, with the swimmers appearing serene and fluid in their movements.
A gallery room displays five framed photographs on white walls. Each photo features individuals swimming in a clear, aqua blue pool. The room has a light wood floor and a brightly lit ceiling.
A minimalistic art gallery wall displaying three framed photographs, each depicting individuals swimming underwater in clear blue water. The gallery has wooden flooring and soft lighting focused on the artwork.
An art gallery wall displays four framed photographs of people swimming in clear blue water. Each image captures different underwater scenes and poses. The gallery room has a light wooden floor and plain, off-white walls. Soft lighting highlights the photographs.
A modern art gallery features several pieces. On the left wall is a small painting of a swimmer. In the center is a larger framed artwork depicting a person swimming underwater in blue-green water. A reflective table sits on the right side of the room.
A modern art gallery displays framed artwork on white walls, featuring images of swimmers in water. A large dark-colored table with uniquely shaped legs stands in the center of the room on a light wood floor. Track lighting illuminates the space.
A spacious art gallery with a light wooden floor and white walls displays several framed paintings depicting water scenes. The room is illuminated by ceiling lights. In the center, a modern glass table on wheels is positioned near some seating.
An art gallery displaying three paintings of figures swimming underwater. The paintings are mounted on a white wall. In the foreground, there is a reflective metal table on wheels with wavy legs. The floor is light wood, contributing to the minimalist setting.
Two framed photographs hang on a white wall in an art gallery. The left photo depicts a person swimming underwater, while the larger right photo shows another underwater scene with a person swimming amidst blue-green water. The setting is brightly lit and minimalist.
A modern art gallery with white walls displays several framed paintings of underwater scenes. A minimalist metal table stands in the center of the room. Recessed ceiling lights illuminate the artwork, and a doorway at the end leads to another room.
A person is swimming underwater in clear, deep blue water. The sunlight creates ripples and reflections on the surface, distorting the view of the person’s body. Reminiscent of a Manjari Sharma photograph, the scene conveys a peaceful, serene atmosphere with natural light playing off the water and the swimmer.
A person in a metallic full-body suit floats relaxedly on their side in a clear pool, surrounded by the sun's reflections on the water. The shimmering effect of the suit and the water creates a surreal, futuristic atmosphere reminiscent of Manjari Sharma's ethereal photography.
A scene reminiscent of Manjari Sharma’s photographic works, a person floats on their back in a clear, blue swimming pool. Their body is relaxed and partially submerged, with one hand raised above the water. Sunlight creates ripples and reflections on the water's surface.
A person with long hair swimming underwater in a deep, dark green-hued body of water, reminiscent of Manjari Sharma’s evocative photography. The swimmer's body is elongated in a horizontal position, creating ripples and bubbles surrounding them, with light filtering through from above.
A woman with dark hair is submerged in clear blue water, with sunlight creating shimmering patterns reminiscent of a Manjari Sharma photograph.
A person swims underwater in a crystal-clear pool, with sunlight creating ripples and patterns on the surface. The swimmer's body is stretched horizontally, arms extended forward and legs trailing behind. The water appears soothing and cool, reminiscent of a Manjari Sharma photograph in its tranquility.
A person floats underwater, illuminated by a soft, ethereal light from the top left corner. The water's greenish hue and gentle ripples amplify the serene and dreamlike atmosphere reminiscent of a Manjari Sharma photograph. The person's long hair flows freely, and their form is relaxed and serene.
A swimmer glides underwater in a pool, with sunlight creating ripples and reflections. The clear blue water enhances the serene and refreshing atmosphere.
A person swimming underwater in a clear, blue pool creates ripples that dance with reflections and patterns of light on the surface. The swimmer's arms are extended forward, their face partially visible through the water, evoking an image reminiscent of a Manjari Sharma photograph.
A person is swimming underwater, fully submerged and streamlined with arms extended forward and legs together. Air bubbles trail from their head, and they are surrounded by deep, greenish-blue water. Light from the surface creates a dappled effect around them, reminiscent of a Manjari Sharma photograph.
A person swimming underwater in a pool with clear blue water is seen from above, reminiscent of Manjari Sharma's captivating photography. The swimmer wears a black swimsuit, and their dark hair flows gracefully in the water as sunlight dances, creating shimmering patterns on the surface.
An overhead view of a person swimming underwater in a pool with clear, bright blue water evokes the captivating essence often seen in Manjari Sharma's photography. The swimmer's body is slightly curled with arms and legs bent, creating ripples and bubbles around them as sunlight illuminates the scene.
A person with long hair swims underwater in a pool, extending one arm forward and the other backward. The water creates rippling effects and clear reflections on the pool's surface, giving the scene a dynamic, fluid appearance reminiscent of a Manjari Sharma photograph.

Exhibition Catalog

Press Release

Richard Levy Gallery is pleased to present Surface Tension, an exhibition of photographs by Manjari Sharma. The exhibition features images of people swimming under water from above the pool’s surface. 

Manjari Sharma investigates the relationship between figure and water in Surface Tension. In her images, bodies are broken apart by refracted light and the rippled surfaces of the pool. Legs become fins, limbs are elongated, and identities unknowable as figures morph into new forms. Born and raised in Mumbai, India, much of her practice is inspired by the cultural belief that water is holy.

Manjari Sharma’s projects have been featured in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, CNN World, NPR, Life Magazine, and Forbes India, among others. She has received numerous awards including the First Place Curator’s Choice award from CENTER in Santa Fe. In 2022, Sharma was a Pollock-Krasner Foundation grant nominee and had a solo exhibition at the Birmingham Museum of Art, Alabama which was extended to May of this year. Sharma currently lives and works in Los Angeles.

Visitors are encouraged to wear masks when visiting the gallery. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @levygallery @manjee #surfacetension #manjarisharma #richardlevygallery 

Dates: June 6–July 15, 2023
Opening Reception: Saturday, June 3, 6–8 pm (with 516 ARTS)
Hours: Thursday–Saturday, 11 am–4 pm or by appointment
Location: 514 Central Avenue SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Contact: 505.766.9888, info@levygallery.com, www.levygallery.com @levygallery

Artwork and Information
Manjari Sharma
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