Nikhil returns to Chatterjee & Lal, Mumbai after a 4 year hiatus with a two part solo exhibition; a suite of drawings at the Colaba gallery and a performance installation from 2016, complete with a live performance at 47A in Kotachiwadi, Mumbai

“At 47A, Chopra’s durational performance derives from his constant coming to terms with the expected publicness of his private studio life. Set against a glass window, and in full view to passers-by, he draws wearing an ambiguous, metallic costume. His garment alluding to the lead, aluminium, chromium, and cadmium found in the lipsticks with which he is drawing. As he rubs the cosmetic product against the glass a synthetic smell, almost intoxicating, fills the space. A long-term exposure and frequent use can lead to the accumulation of these toxic heavy metals in our bodies. A soundscape of natural and unnatural sounds fills the space – gushing winds carrying birds are interrupted by gunshots and planes passing – as an acute awareness of threat. With the layering of lipstick over lipstick and sound over sound, Chopra builds an uncomfortable, cyclical density. It envelopes us now.”

- Mario D’Souza