The Artists Drawing on Tantric Traditions at Art Cologne

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Bartha_contemporary and Joost van den Bergh will present works by Stephan Baumkötter, Susan Morris, and Hadi Tabatabai at the German fair.

London-based galleries Bartha_contemporary and Joost van den Bergh will present a mindfully curated fusion of ancient philosophies with modern creativity at this year’s edition of Art Cologne from 7 to 10 November.

The galleries have chosen to include Stephan Baumkötter, Susan Morris, and Hadi Tabatabai—three contemporary artists invited to create works that resonate deeply with the essence of Tantric art in their booth, No. C-130 in Hall 11.1. Their contributions will explore the profound influence of Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Jainism, Vajrayana, Bönpo, Ayurveda, and Shamanism on contemporary practice, demonstrating how these ancient philosophies continue to inspire and shape modern art.

Visitors to the booth will encounter a thought-provoking presentation that bridges cultural divides and reframes contemporary art within an innovative, spiritually rich context. This exhibition highlights the relevance of traditional spiritual practices in today’s art. It aligns with Art Cologne’s ‘Collaborations’ theme, offering a refreshing perspective on the ongoing dialogue between the past and present. We are looking forward to welcoming you to Art Cologne 2024.

Main image: From left: Stephan Baumkötter, Untitled (2021-18W) (2021). Pastel on wood. 32 × 24 cm; Susan Morris, Binary Tapestry, Sunshine 2012 (2024). Jacquard tapestry, linen yarn. 251.5 × 95.5 cm; Devi as a cosmic form. Gujarat, India (c. 14th century). Copper alloy with silver, gold, copper, and ruby inlay. Height: 31.8 cm; Sarvatobhadra yantra, Rajasthan, India (18th or 19th century). Gouache on paper. 46.5 × 42.5 cm. Courtesy Bartha_contemporary and Joost van den Bergh Ltd.