Indian contemporary artist Keerthana S Kumar, reimagined Da Vinci’s Last Supper by replacing historic subjects with real life people in a series of 14 figurative pop-art canvases, aptly titled The First Supper Collection. As part of the permanent collection of the Open Sesame restaurant in Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown, the artworks reflect the multi-ethnic vibe in the Emirates. At the center stage is a polyptych depicting the diners dressed in trendy outfits partaking in a lavish meal in the midst of a gala gathering. Combining aspects of Renaissance iconography and fabrics with a fauvist style, the First Supper celebrates the interconnectivity of the global community today. “In this day and age, it finally feels like there is a seat at the table for the deserving rather than the reserved,” says Keerthana, who wanted to bring forth the unusual justification of varied ethnicities, united by pop-culture and consumerism.
The unveiling of the collection gave guests an opportunity to engage with the artist in the presence of the artwork itself, enjoying a brunch, mirroring elements depicted in the paintings turning it into an immersive experience for all present. These paintings will now be part of the boutique art hotel’s vast collection of original artworks.
Hailing from a family of engineers, Keerthana resides in Bangalore, India. Celebrating womanhood with bold portrayals of the feminine force, is at the core of the artist’s work. Her vibrant pop-art canvases are created with the combination of acrylic mediums and knife painting techniques. As a millennial, her modern outlook is reflected in her art style, she says, as she heavily draws from contemporary icons and lingo, be it social media, texting, hashtags, video games, fashion or the everyday hustle.