SAN JOSE MUSEUM OF ART
 
Modern and Contemporary Art from India
February 25, 2011 through September 4, 2011, San Jose Museum of Art
 
 
 
UNTITLED, 1999
Watercolor, charcoal, and acrylic with marble dust on paper
50 x 50 inches
Collection of Anita and Sridar Iyengar

 
 
Anju Dodiya
Born 1964, Mumbai (formerly Bombay)
Lives and works in Mumbai
 
Atul Dodiya
Born 1959, Mumbai (formerly Bombay)
Lives and works in Mumbai

 
In Untitled (1999), Anju Dodiya and Atul Dodiya explored the disconnect they experience as a couple who, in order to pursue their individual careers, are often apart. The artists addressed ideas of loneliness and waiting, as well as literary and political themes—interests that inform their individual artistic practices.  Atul painted himself in watercolor holding a charcoal stick and drawing a tear on the self-portrait of his wife. Outlines of India and Italy represent the geographic distance between the artists, who began this piece when Atul returned from an artist residency in Italy.  India is flanked by parentheses—perhaps to indicate its marginalization within the global context. The initials “AD” combined with the number “2” underscore that this work is a collaboration.