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Sujay Shah
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Lives & Works in Nairobi, Kenya
Sujay Shah’s practice reflects on intermingled cultural ideologies, myths, and histories.  Shah also questions how we can begin to reconcile with the colonial pasts that remain built into our surroundings. In his recent paintings, Shah deconstructs, satirises, and critiques some of the harmful legacies of colonialism through the lens of big game trophy hunting. The presence of objects such as skin rugs and mounted animal heads in Kenyan homes, country clubs, and Safari lodges, serve as haunting reminders of this violent history. In his fictitious dioramas and still lifes, acts of brutality exist amongst luxury items, which serves to challenge notions of what it means to be "civilised”. Intertwining horror, humour, and surrealism, the animals are subjected to various states of disrespect which further undermines and trivialises these hunts.  Shah graduated with a BFA in Painting from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2013. In 2022 he was awarded a Venice travel fellowship by Wangechi Mutu Studio. Sujay Shah will be presented by Circle Art Gallery.
Sujay Shah, We followed the Tracks like Hounds, 2023, Oil and acrylic on canvas, 168 x 191 cm. Courtesy of Circle Art Gallery.

Artists 2023