Subodh Gupta, one of India’s most internationally acclaimed contemporary artists, returns to his roots with ‘The Way Home’, a major solo exhibition opening at the Bihar Museum in Patna this November. In an exclusive interview with Lifestyle Asia, Gupta reflects on the significance of returning to Bihar, his birth state, and how his work has evolved in conversation with his personal experiences and India’s broader cultural shifts. Born in Khagaul, Bihar, Subodh Gupta’s artistic journey is recognised by his signature works, which elevate everyday objects such as bartans (utensils), tiffin boxes, auto parts, and other metallic elements into monumental sculptures.
The installations offer profound insights into India’s rapid social and economic transformation, and his exhibition, ‘The Way Home’ at the Bihar Museum, marks a poignant and meaningful moment in his artistic journey. Subodh Gupta’s works are particularly resonant in the context of the Bihar Museum — a place where traditional heritage and contemporary culture converge. Designed under the tutelage of architect, Kenzo Tange, the Bihar Museum offers a setting that is both deeply rooted in the the region’s history and forward-looking in its embrace of contemporary art.
Inaugurated in 2015, it houses a vast collection of ancient artefacts, particularly from the Maurya and Gupta periods, as well as more recent Buddhist relics. These historical works, alongside folk and modern art exhibitions, set the stag.
