Bharti Kher, born in 1969 in London, England, to Indian parents, is a contemporary British-Indian artist whose work spans nearly three decades across painting, sculpture, and installation. Her art is a profound exploration of identity, culture, and the nuanced interplay between traditional and contemporary life, making her one of the most significant figures in contemporary art on both the Indian and global stages. Kher's journey into the art world began with her education in the United Kingdom, where she studied at Middlesex Polytechnic, London, from 1987 to 1988, before attending the Foundation Course in Art and Design at Newcastle Polytechnic from 1988 to 1991, receiving a BA Honours in Fine Art, Painting. In 1992, at the age of 23, Kher traveled to India, a trip that was initially intended to be a short visit. However, this journey took a pivotal turn when she met her future husband, Indian artist Subodh Gupta, and decided to make India her home. This move marked the beginning of Kher's deep engagement with her heritage and the complexities of her identity as a reverse émigré. Kher's work is characterized by its radical heterogeneity, incorporating a wide range of materials and themes. She is particularly known for her use of the bindi, a traditional Indian forehead decoration, as a central motif in her art. The bindi, under Kher's manipulation, transcends its cultural and religious origins to become a symbol of both the spiritual and the mundane, the individual and the universal. Her bindi works, which she began incorporating into her art in 1995, range from dense, abstract configurations to elaborate figurative compositions, challenging viewers to reconsider the object's cultural significance and aesthetic potential. One of Kher's most iconic and discussed works is "The Skin Speaks a Language Not Its Own" (2006), a life-sized sculpture of a female elephant, meticulously covered in white bindis. This powerful piece, which sold for over a million dollars at a Sotheby's auction in London in 2010, is emblematic of Kher's ability to weave together themes of femininity, displacement, and the interconnections between human, animal, and material realms. The elephant, a revered symbol in Indian culture, is presented in a state of vulnerable repose, inviting contemplation on the burdens of history and the potential for renewal. Throughout her career, Kher has maintained an unwavering relationship with the body, its narratives, and the nature of things. Her sculptures and installations often feature hybrid beings that blur the boundaries between human and animal, myth and reality, creating a space where traditional dichotomies are questioned and reimagined. This exploration is further enriched by Kher's engagement with found objects, which she transforms and incorporates into her work, imbuing them with new meanings and associations. Kher's art has been exhibited widely in solo and group exhibitions around the world, including prestigious venues such as the Tate Modern in London, the Vancouver Art Gallery, and the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. Her contributions to the field of contemporary art have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) in 2015. Beyond her artistic achievements, Kher's work is a profound meditation on the complexities of identity, belonging, and the ongoing dialogue between the past and the present. Through her innovative use of materials and her exploration of themes ranging from mythology to gender, Kher continues to challenge and inspire, making her one of the most compelling voices in contemporary art today.

Bharti Kher Quotes and Sales of Works

Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current market values.

If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the artist, contact us immediately.

If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the works:

Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back, and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work and any kind of available documentation (purchase receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme professionalism.

If you wish to purchase works by the painter: Contact us and let us know your request. We will inform you about the available works. We also offer the possibility to subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, through which you will be informed at the beginning of each month about the latest acquisitions of the art gallery.

You can send us pictures of the work:

• by mail –>  [email protected]
• by WhatsApp –> +39 3205747749