VARUNIKA SARAF

Hyderabad-based Varunika Saraf, 39, has a PhD from JNU, and it shows. A manuscript interpreting apocalyptic events in 16th century Germany is adapted to depict dire omens in 21st century India. Caput Mortuum, a rust-red pigment associated with mummies and alchemy becomes the base for a deceptively tranquil series about state violence. Her work makes subtle, captivating use of the art historical archive while being political.