Some exhibitions establish their premise through surface alone. “Space Slipping Across the Universe”, curated by JohnyML, does so through Pranav Shah’s measured abstraction, where spatial form emerges through material processes rather than external reference. The diptychs act as the structural core of the exhibition. Their dual-panel format sets up a quiet tension between the two halves, guiding the viewer through shifts in colour, density and texture. From a critical standpoint, these works reveal Shah’s precise way of constructing surfaces — clusters of blue, violet, red and yellow interact through layered movements, creating depth built from controlled material placement.
The vertical oil-on-canvas works extend this measured approach. Their proportions lead the viewer through transitions that develop gradually across the surface. One canvas centres warm tonal weight; another relies on cooler bands that shift subtly with changes in light. These works illustrate Shah’s capacity to build spatial progression through considered layering, scraped passages and calibrated tonal movement.
The Oil on Metallic Foil paintings introduce a distinct register. Here, the reflective ground creates a shifting visual field: as the viewer moves, the surface alters, revealing variations in hue and luminosity. This material choice demonstrates Shah’s interest in constructing depth through interaction with light, allowing the surface to evolve without relying on representational triggers. Earlier square-format pieces clarify the continuity of his approach. Their directional marks and chromatic consistency connect directly with the more recent works, forming a coherent trajectory grounded in material control.
Across the exhibition, Shah presents abstraction as a structured visual field shaped through layered processes and precise handling of surface. “Space Slipping Across the Universe” positions his practice with clarity, defined by steady construction and concise spatial form. A pink-grey diptych forms granular dispersions, while blue-green canvases refine depth through calibrated saturation and measured shifts in surface behaviour.