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No Longer A Memory: Cop Shiva's Theatrical Portraits

byCop ShivaShips across India; Visit gallery at Wilson Garden, BengaluruStarts from₹35,000 per artworkView full gallery

Step into a world of performance and play. This solo exhibition, hosted at Gallery Sumukha, brings to life the childhood fantasies I shared with my mother, Gowramma, through vibrant photography.

The official invitation for 'No Longer A Memory', a solo exhibition by Cop Shiva. The image features the artist in his signature performative style, inviting viewers into a world where memory and photography intersect.

Artist Cop Shiva with his mother Gowramma, the heart of the series, alongside curator Joshua Muyiwa and artist Vivek Vilasini at the exhibition preview. This captures the community and collaboration that brings a show to life.

A vibrant archival print from the 'No Longer A Memory' series. Here, Gowramma stands proudly with decorated bulls against a theatrical studio backdrop, embodying the blend of rural life and imagined grandeur that defines Cop Shiva's work.

Gowramma, the artist's mother, poses with a vintage television and suitcase against a heart-patterned backdrop. This piece from 'No Longer A Memory' is a playful yet poignant commentary on migration, media, and memory.

Cop Shiva joins the performance in this companion piece, creating a surreal family portrait that challenges conventional roles. The work is a testament to the deep, imaginative bond he shares with his mother.

The gallery space transformed for 'No Longer A Memory', with patterned ceilings echoing the fabrics used in the photographs. The installation view shows how we create an immersive environment for each exhibition.

Visitors explore the exhibition against the gallery's vibrant yellow and pink walls. The bright, neo-pop aesthetic of the show's design reflects the playful and theatrical nature of Cop Shiva's photography.

A video capturing the lively atmosphere of the 'No Longer A Memory' exhibition. It shows a diverse crowd of visitors engaging with the art, highlighting the gallery's role as a cultural hub in Bengaluru.

Artist Vivek Vilasini shares his thoughts on Cop Shiva's work, describing it as a unique form of "neo-pop" from our spaces. Testimonials like these from fellow artists underscore the impact and importance of the exhibitions I host.

Artist Nandini Valli Muthiah praises the curatorial vision of the exhibition, particularly the use of fabric panels on the ceiling. This feedback highlights the thoughtful details that go into every show's presentation.

About No Longer A Memory: A Solo by Cop Shiva

These aren't just snapshots. Each print is an archival pigment work on cotton rag paper, crafted to last for generations. Whether you are looking for a statement piece for your living room or an investment-grade series for your collection, you are buying a piece of my personal performance art, signed by me, and delivered with white-glove care.

Winner of Sovereign Asian Art Prize — Approved by the tribe
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Cop Shiva

Ships across India; Visit gallery at Wilson Garden, BengaluruStarts from ₹35,000 per artwork

I spent years as a policeman and a teacher, but I have always been more interested in the roles we play when no one is watching. In 'No Longer A Memory,' I step back into the games my mother and I played, bringing those fantasies of kings and heroes to life. It is my way of keeping those moments real.

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