Manjari Sharma

Darshan
March 8 – April 18

An ornate depiction of the hindu goddess lakshmi seated on a large pink lotus, with four arms holding symbolic objects, adorned in traditional jewelry and clothes, against a backdrop with swans.
A colorful artistic depiction of lord brahma, a hindu deity, sitting on a lotus surrounded by clouds, with four heads, each wearing a crown, and four hands holding different symbolic objects.
An ornate statue of the hindu goddess saraswati sitting on a rock, with a veena (a musical instrument), flanked by a peacock, against a painted nature background with a halo.
A vibrant depiction of lord vishnu with four arms, traditional attire, and accessories, set against a celestial blue background with clouds and floating white orbs.
A colorful depiction of the hindu goddess durga riding a ferocious tiger, dressed in traditional attire with multiple arms, each holding symbolic weapons, against a geometric patterned backdrop.
Illustration of lord shiva dancing in rage atop a subdued demon, surrounded by flames, with a halo and wielding multiple symbolic items, set against a backdrop of dark mountains.
A person dressed as the hindu deity hanuman, with a white monkey face and body, wearing a golden crown and green and red clothes, holds a mountain and a mace, set against a backdrop of painted mountains and clouds.
Colorful depiction of the hindu deity ganesha sitting on a throne, with four arms, an elephant head, and a mouse at his feet, against a vibrant blue background.
Vibrant statue of the hindu goddess kali, depicted with blue skin, multiple arms holding weapons, and a skirt of severed arms, standing on a mound of red skulls against a fiery red background.
A man in a dark jacket stands in an art gallery, observing a colorful abstract painting hung on a white wall, with another person walking by in the background.
A woman holding a toddler points at a colorful painting of a hindu deity displayed on a museum wall. the deity is depicted with multiple arms and stands amidst clouds.
People gathered at an art gallery exhibition, conversing among themselves. the gallery is illuminated, displaying various artworks on walls and pedestals.
Visitors, including a man and a child, observing a vibrant framed artwork in a museum gallery, with other attendees in the background.
People viewing colorful artwork in a well-lit gallery, with paintings displayed on white walls and small groups of visitors discussing the art.
Three people observe a framed painting of a deity-like figure in front of a vivid red and orange background in an art gallery.
Two people are viewing and discussing artwork in a gallery. one is gesturing while holding a drink, and both are deeply engaged in conversation.
Two people, one gesturing, view and discuss framed artwork on a gallery wall, illuminated under soft gallery lighting with a focus on their engagement.
Three people viewing and discussing vibrant paintings at an art gallery. two women are engaged in conversation while a man observes a painting in the background.
A man and a woman, dressed in black jackets, standing in an art gallery, observing a framed painting featuring vibrant, fiery hues.
Three people observing and discussing artwork displayed on a gallery wall. two are pointing at a colorful painting while engaged in conversation.

Press Release

Richard Levy Gallery is pleased to present Darshan, a series of vibrant photographs by Brooklyn based Indian photographer, Manjari Sharma. Darshan is a Sanskrit word meaning vision or view and is associated with Hindu worship. A Darshan is the experience that invokes an immediate connection between deity and viewer. Manjari Sharma’s Darshan series is composed of 9 representations of Hindu deities that tells the story of this revelation.

Historically, Hindu deities have been depicted predominantly through sculpture and painting but very rarely photography. Sharma brings contemporary life to these iconic images through her camera lens. Multiple trips to Mumbai and collaboration with a sizable team of local artisans, sculptors and painters were funded by a successful Kickstarter campaign. Lavish sets were constructed, costumes were created, and models were styled to render each of the elaborately staged 9 archetypal representations.

Born and raised in India, Sharma was immersed in her native Hindu culture. In her early 20‘s, she moved to the U.S. to pursue her interest in photography. Visits to Hindu temples were gradually replaced by sojourns to museums and art galleries with the same fervent dedication. The Darshan series bridges the gap of these two vastly separate worlds.

This monumental project has already captured the attention of The New York Times, NPR, Life Magazine, Wired and countless others. Darshan is scheduled for exhibition at the Asia Society Texas Center in Houston in May 2014.

High-resolution images are available on request. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @levygallery 

Dates: March 7–April 18, 2014
Reception: March 7, 6–8 pm
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 11 am–4 pm
Location: 514 Central Avenue SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Contact: 505.766.9888, info@levygallery.com, www.levygallery.com @levygallery

Artwork and Information
Manjari Sharma