Vibha Galhotra

b. 1978 in Chandigarh, India
Working in New Delhi, India
Showing at Asia Society Museum
On view from March 26, 2021, through June 27, 2021
A concrete stairway winds back and forth. Four people are descending the staircase.

Vibha Galhotra, The Final Feast (Staged Photographs), 2019–20. Archival prints on Hahnemühle Photo Rag paper, book. With assistance from: Ajay Arya, production and lighting director; Sushmendra Dubey, camera. Special thanks: Shalini Passi, Rajeev Sethi, Peter Nagy, Sunil Sethi, Navtej Johar, Sunil Mehra, Rohit Gandhi, Rahul Khanna, Amit Gupta, Suket Dhir, Gaurav Jai Gupta, Akanksha Sharma, Ina Puri, Bhavna Kakar, Manisha Gera Baswani, Lhanzey Palden, Sobin, Sohail Hashmi, Mrinalini Ghadiok. Nine circular prints, each: Diam. 35 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 3 cm). Two rectangular prints: H. 35 x W. 76 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 193 x 3 cm) and H. 35 x W. 50 1/2 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 128.3 x 3 cm). Book, closed: H. 2 1/2 x W. 10 x L. 10 1/2 in. (6.4 x 25.4 x 26.7 cm). Courtesy of the artist; Nature Morte, New Delhi; and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York. Photograph courtesy of the artist

Location: Asia Society Museum
A woman in a red gown stands with her arms outstretched. Four figures in shadow appear behind her. On the floor in front of her is a flattened depiction of the globe.

Vibha Galhotra, The Final Feast (Staged Photographs), 2019–20. Archival prints on Hahnemühle Photo Rag paper, book. With assistance from: Ajay Arya, production and lighting director; Sushmendra Dubey, camera. Special thanks: Shalini Passi, Rajeev Sethi, Peter Nagy, Sunil Sethi, Navtej Johar, Sunil Mehra, Rohit Gandhi, Rahul Khanna, Amit Gupta, Suket Dhir, Gaurav Jai Gupta, Akanksha Sharma, Ina Puri, Bhavna Kakar, Manisha Gera Baswani, Lhanzey Palden, Sobin, Sohail Hashmi, Mrinalini Ghadiok. Nine circular prints, each: Diam. 35 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 3 cm). Two rectangular prints: H. 35 x W. 76 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 193 x 3 cm) and H. 35 x W. 50 1/2 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 128.3 x 3 cm). Book, closed: H. 2 1/2 x W. 10 x L. 10 1/2 in. (6.4 x 25.4 x 26.7 cm). Courtesy of the artist; Nature Morte, New Delhi; and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York. Photograph courtesy of the artist

Location: Asia Society Museum
Circular image of four standing people talking. Each holds a drink in their hand. They are in a blue-grey concrete room.

Vibha Galhotra, The Final Feast (Staged Photographs), 2019–20. Archival prints on Hahnemühle Photo Rag paper, book. With assistance from: Ajay Arya, production and lighting director; Sushmendra Dubey, camera. Special thanks: Shalini Passi, Rajeev Sethi, Peter Nagy, Sunil Sethi, Navtej Johar, Sunil Mehra, Rohit Gandhi, Rahul Khanna, Amit Gupta, Suket Dhir, Gaurav Jai Gupta, Akanksha Sharma, Ina Puri, Bhavna Kakar, Manisha Gera Baswani, Lhanzey Palden, Sobin, Sohail Hashmi, Mrinalini Ghadiok. Nine circular prints, each: Diam. 35 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 3 cm). Two rectangular prints: H. 35 x W. 76 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 193 x 3 cm) and H. 35 x W. 50 1/2 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 128.3 x 3 cm). Book, closed: H. 2 1/2 x W. 10 x L. 10 1/2 in. (6.4 x 25.4 x 26.7 cm). Courtesy of the artist; Nature Morte, New Delhi; and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York. Photograph courtesy of the artist

Location: Asia Society Museum
Two people stand on either side of a concrete, circular plinth. A stone sculpture of the globe appears between them on top of the plinth

Vibha Galhotra, The Final Feast (Staged Photographs), 2019–20. Archival prints on Hahnemühle Photo Rag paper, book. With assistance from: Ajay Arya, production and lighting director; Sushmendra Dubey, camera. Special thanks: Shalini Passi, Rajeev Sethi, Peter Nagy, Sunil Sethi, Navtej Johar, Sunil Mehra, Rohit Gandhi, Rahul Khanna, Amit Gupta, Suket Dhir, Gaurav Jai Gupta, Akanksha Sharma, Ina Puri, Bhavna Kakar, Manisha Gera Baswani, Lhanzey Palden, Sobin, Sohail Hashmi, Mrinalini Ghadiok. Nine circular prints, each: Diam. 35 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 3 cm). Two rectangular prints: H. 35 x W. 76 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 193 x 3 cm) and H. 35 x W. 50 1/2 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 128.3 x 3 cm). Book, closed: H. 2 1/2 x W. 10 x L. 10 1/2 in. (6.4 x 25.4 x 26.7 cm). Courtesy of the artist; Nature Morte, New Delhi; and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York. Photograph courtesy of the artist

Location: Asia Society Museum
Sixteen people are gathered at a long table at what appears to be a dinner party. They are engaged in conversation. The table contains platters of food and candelabras holding red candles.

Vibha Galhotra, The Final Feast (Staged Photographs), 2019–20. Archival prints on Hahnemühle Photo Rag paper, book. With assistance from: Ajay Arya, production and lighting director; Sushmendra Dubey, camera. Special thanks: Shalini Passi, Rajeev Sethi, Peter Nagy, Sunil Sethi, Navtej Johar, Sunil Mehra, Rohit Gandhi, Rahul Khanna, Amit Gupta, Suket Dhir, Gaurav Jai Gupta, Akanksha Sharma, Ina Puri, Bhavna Kakar, Manisha Gera Baswani, Lhanzey Palden, Sobin, Sohail Hashmi, Mrinalini Ghadiok. Nine circular prints, each: Diam. 35 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 3 cm). Two rectangular prints: H. 35 x W. 76 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 193 x 3 cm) and H. 35 x W. 50 1/2 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 128.3 x 3 cm). Book, closed: H. 2 1/2 x W. 10 x L. 10 1/2 in. (6.4 x 25.4 x 26.7 cm). Courtesy of the artist; Nature Morte, New Delhi; and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York. Photograph courtesy of the artist

Location: Asia Society Museum
a circular image of five people who are gathered around a table. What appears to be a cake depicting the globe appears on the table next to red candles.

Vibha Galhotra, The Final Feast (Staged Photographs), 2019–20. Archival prints on Hahnemühle Photo Rag paper, book. With assistance from: Ajay Arya, production and lighting director; Sushmendra Dubey, camera. Special thanks: Shalini Passi, Rajeev Sethi, Peter Nagy, Sunil Sethi, Navtej Johar, Sunil Mehra, Rohit Gandhi, Rahul Khanna, Amit Gupta, Suket Dhir, Gaurav Jai Gupta, Akanksha Sharma, Ina Puri, Bhavna Kakar, Manisha Gera Baswani, Lhanzey Palden, Sobin, Sohail Hashmi, Mrinalini Ghadiok. Nine circular prints, each: Diam. 35 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 3 cm). Two rectangular prints: H. 35 x W. 76 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 193 x 3 cm) and H. 35 x W. 50 1/2 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 128.3 x 3 cm). Book, closed: H. 2 1/2 x W. 10 x L. 10 1/2 in. (6.4 x 25.4 x 26.7 cm). Courtesy of the artist; Nature Morte, New Delhi; and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York. Photograph courtesy of the artist

Location: Asia Society Museum
A circular image of a hand holding a knife, cutting into a cake that looks like the world. Ornate, golden jewelry appears on the hand

Vibha Galhotra, The Final Feast (Staged Photographs), 2019–20. Archival prints on Hahnemühle Photo Rag paper, book. With assistance from: Ajay Arya, production and lighting director; Sushmendra Dubey, camera. Special thanks: Shalini Passi, Rajeev Sethi, Peter Nagy, Sunil Sethi, Navtej Johar, Sunil Mehra, Rohit Gandhi, Rahul Khanna, Amit Gupta, Suket Dhir, Gaurav Jai Gupta, Akanksha Sharma, Ina Puri, Bhavna Kakar, Manisha Gera Baswani, Lhanzey Palden, Sobin, Sohail Hashmi, Mrinalini Ghadiok. Nine circular prints, each: Diam. 35 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 3 cm). Two rectangular prints: H. 35 x W. 76 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 193 x 3 cm) and H. 35 x W. 50 1/2 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 128.3 x 3 cm). Book, closed: H. 2 1/2 x W. 10 x L. 10 1/2 in. (6.4 x 25.4 x 26.7 cm). Courtesy of the artist; Nature Morte, New Delhi; and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York. Photograph courtesy of the artist

Location: Asia Society Museum
Five people are fathered around a table in conversation. Wine glasses andsmall portions of food appear on the table

Vibha Galhotra, The Final Feast (Staged Photographs), 2019–20. Archival prints on Hahnemühle Photo Rag paper, book. With assistance from: Ajay Arya, production and lighting director; Sushmendra Dubey, camera. Special thanks: Shalini Passi, Rajeev Sethi, Peter Nagy, Sunil Sethi, Navtej Johar, Sunil Mehra, Rohit Gandhi, Rahul Khanna, Amit Gupta, Suket Dhir, Gaurav Jai Gupta, Akanksha Sharma, Ina Puri, Bhavna Kakar, Manisha Gera Baswani, Lhanzey Palden, Sobin, Sohail Hashmi, Mrinalini Ghadiok. Nine circular prints, each: Diam. 35 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 3 cm). Two rectangular prints: H. 35 x W. 76 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 193 x 3 cm) and H. 35 x W. 50 1/2 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 128.3 x 3 cm). Book, closed: H. 2 1/2 x W. 10 x L. 10 1/2 in. (6.4 x 25.4 x 26.7 cm). Courtesy of the artist; Nature Morte, New Delhi; and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York. Photograph courtesy of the artist

Location: Asia Society Museum
Three people stand together closely in conversation. Two of them are holding slices of cake

Vibha Galhotra, The Final Feast (Staged Photographs), 2019–20. Archival prints on Hahnemühle Photo Rag paper, book. With assistance from: Ajay Arya, production and lighting director; Sushmendra Dubey, camera. Special thanks: Shalini Passi, Rajeev Sethi, Peter Nagy, Sunil Sethi, Navtej Johar, Sunil Mehra, Rohit Gandhi, Rahul Khanna, Amit Gupta, Suket Dhir, Gaurav Jai Gupta, Akanksha Sharma, Ina Puri, Bhavna Kakar, Manisha Gera Baswani, Lhanzey Palden, Sobin, Sohail Hashmi, Mrinalini Ghadiok. Nine circular prints, each: Diam. 35 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 3 cm). Two rectangular prints: H. 35 x W. 76 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 193 x 3 cm) and H. 35 x W. 50 1/2 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 128.3 x 3 cm). Book, closed: H. 2 1/2 x W. 10 x L. 10 1/2 in. (6.4 x 25.4 x 26.7 cm). Courtesy of the artist; Nature Morte, New Delhi; and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York. Photograph courtesy of the artist

Location: Asia Society Museum
Several silhouetted people appear in a long, concrete room filled with fog. Their backs are to the camera.

Vibha Galhotra, The Final Feast (Staged Photographs), 2019–20. Archival prints on Hahnemühle Photo Rag paper, book. With assistance from: Ajay Arya, production and lighting director; Sushmendra Dubey, camera. Special thanks: Shalini Passi, Rajeev Sethi, Peter Nagy, Sunil Sethi, Navtej Johar, Sunil Mehra, Rohit Gandhi, Rahul Khanna, Amit Gupta, Suket Dhir, Gaurav Jai Gupta, Akanksha Sharma, Ina Puri, Bhavna Kakar, Manisha Gera Baswani, Lhanzey Palden, Sobin, Sohail Hashmi, Mrinalini Ghadiok. Nine circular prints, each: Diam. 35 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 3 cm). Two rectangular prints: H. 35 x W. 76 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 193 x 3 cm) and H. 35 x W. 50 1/2 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 128.3 x 3 cm). Book, closed: H. 2 1/2 x W. 10 x L. 10 1/2 in. (6.4 x 25.4 x 26.7 cm). Courtesy of the artist; Nature Morte, New Delhi; and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York. Photograph courtesy of the artist

Location: Asia Society Museum
An image of an empty, concrete room filled with smoke.

Vibha Galhotra, The Final Feast (Staged Photographs), 2019–20. Archival prints on Hahnemühle Photo Rag paper, book. With assistance from: Ajay Arya, production and lighting director; Sushmendra Dubey, camera. Special thanks: Shalini Passi, Rajeev Sethi, Peter Nagy, Sunil Sethi, Navtej Johar, Sunil Mehra, Rohit Gandhi, Rahul Khanna, Amit Gupta, Suket Dhir, Gaurav Jai Gupta, Akanksha Sharma, Ina Puri, Bhavna Kakar, Manisha Gera Baswani, Lhanzey Palden, Sobin, Sohail Hashmi, Mrinalini Ghadiok. Nine circular prints, each: Diam. 35 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 3 cm). Two rectangular prints: H. 35 x W. 76 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 193 x 3 cm) and H. 35 x W. 50 1/2 x D. 1 3/16 in. (88.9 x 128.3 x 3 cm). Book, closed: H. 2 1/2 x W. 10 x L. 10 1/2 in. (6.4 x 25.4 x 26.7 cm). Courtesy of the artist; Nature Morte, New Delhi; and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York. Photograph courtesy of the artist

Location: Asia Society Museum
One rectangular and four round photographs hang on two walls. They depict images of people eating in a decadent setting. In the center of the room a book appears under a glass case.

Installation view of Asia Society Triennial: We Do Not Dream Alone at Asia Society Museum, New York, October 27, 2020–June 27, 2021. Vibha Galhotra, The Final Feast (Staged Photographs), 2019–20, Courtesy of the artist; Nature Morte, New Delhi; and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York. Photograph © Bruce M. White, 2021

Location: Asia Society Museum
Vibha Galhotra Who Owns Water

Vibha Galhotra, Who Owns the Water?, 2019. Performed at Asia Society, 2019. © Vibha Galhotra. Courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York. Photograph by Ellen Wallop

Vibha Galhotra is best known for her large-scale, research-based installations that confront the evolution of topographical and cultural geographies due to globalization and nation building. She is primarily concerned with the detrimental impact of urban gentrification on the environment and the subsequent marginalization of local communities. The artist’s use of hand-sewn ghungroos—metal ankle bells used as feminine accessories in Indian culture—in her intricately crafted sculptures alludes to the under-recognized role that women play in India’s rapidly evolving economy in relation to the shifting balance between handcraftsmanship and industrialization. Galhotra received a BFA in graphics from the Government College of Arts, Chandigarh, in 1998, and an MFA in graphics from the Kala Bhavana (Institute of Fine Arts), Santiniketan, in 2001. 


The Final Feast is a series of eleven photographs that takes inspiration from The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. The cycle depicts a decadent feast where an elite few vie for a slice of the world to satiate their self-serving desires. Through this installation, Galhotra casts a satirical, cynical eye on the relentless quest for economic domination directed by a ruling class whose quest for wealth and power supersedes the parameters of traditional nation-states and whose actions subsequently dictate the sociopolitical fate of the masses and the ecological health of the planet. Like The Last Supper, Galhotra’s feast portents the sacrifice of the planet and its inhabitants in return for a new world order that has questionable rewards.

Events

Artist vibha cooking by the river.

Photo courtesy the artist
Past Event
Thursday 16 July 2020

Talking Dreams: Instagram Live Session 2 With Vibha Galhotra

@AsiaSociety on Instagram
10 - 11 a.m. New York Time

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Vibha Galhotra mask

Photograph courtesy Vibha Galhotra Studio
Artist Q&A

Dreaming With: Vibha Galhotra

In the lead up to the Triennial opening, our Dreaming With Q&A series provides an exclusive glimpse into the artists’ lives and studios.
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Artist vibha cooking by the river.

Photo courtesy the artist
Courtesy of the artist
Instagram Live

Talking Dreams: A Conversation With Vibha Galhotra

Asia Society Triennial artistic director Boon Hui Tan joins artist Vibha Galhotra in her Delhi home for an entertaining conversation about her work, inspiration, and dessert.
Read more