5 x 6 x 4 m
Flexible LED panels, electronics, metal (2025)
Duration: 1753 hours, 28 minutes, and 44 seconds
About the Artwork
Yogesh Barve's installation ‘I Am Not Your Dalit’ draws from James Baldwin's seminal film ‘I Am Not Your Negro’ to address caste discrimination, social injustice, and inequality in India. The work incorporates writings by B. R. Ambedkar, Periyar, Jyotirao Phule, and Savitribai Phule—seminal thinkers whose literature forms the foundation for all movements aimed at uplifting marginalised populations in the country.
Caste discrimination in India remains a deeply entrenched issue that continues to plague the entire country, denying millions their basic human rights. These daily acts of violence and prejudice strip individuals of their dignity and existence, while perpetuating an overwhelming generational inequality of opportunity between higher and lower caste populations. Low literacy rates, limited access to higher education, lack of awareness of and exposure to texts by these authors, and restricted access to basic technology further compound the struggle against marginalization for those directly affected.
The suspended LED tickers, a common feature in public spaces like railway stations and markets, are used by Barve to disseminate ideas on law, human rights, and social justice by the four authors. Through this, Barve critiques how such important social and historical texts have faded from public consciousness over time. The experience of being able to read only a few words at a time on each ticker further highlights issues of access to marginalised histories. The tickers also force viewers to read at a pre-defined pace, urging them to consider the urgency of the change required.
Through his work, Barve urges us to reconsider the enduring relevance of Ambedkar's vision for a just society. He challenges us to reflect on the future we aspire to, the sacrifices and efforts required to achieve it, and the urgency of driving change now rather than later. His work serves as a powerful reminder that justice delayed is justice denied—and that the time to act is not in the distant future, but today.
About the Artist
Yogesh Barve (b. 1989) is a conceptual artist from Mumbai, India. His artistic practice spans various mediums, including drawing, painting, sculpture, video and other digital technologies alongside the repurposing of found objects.
Barve’s work challenges established norms and binary structures, utilising the slash as a symbol of un/learning, de/constructing, and non/conformism. Barve uses various media to challenge norms and binaries, creating immersive environments that blend personal and public realms. His work aims to democratise and decolonise technology through art. Since 2017, Barve has run a YouTube channel called Dalit Poetry and Literature to bring attention to literature outside the Brahmanical canon.
Barve has been part of 2nd Transnational Pavilion at the 55th Venice Biennale in 2013. He has previously exhibited at Para Site in Hong Kong, and at the Kadist Art Foundation and the Fondation Lucien Paye in Paris. In 2015, he was invited for a curation by Hans Ulrich Obrist, Simon Castets and Julie Boukobza for the 89 plus program at the Google Cultural Institute, Paris. He presented works as part of “How little you know about me” by Joowon Park at National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, South Korea in 2018, Three Questions at Once at Art and Charlie, Mumbai in 2024, amongst other group exhibitions since 2012. He was invited as resident artist at Nordiska Konstförbundet in 2023. He was a participating artist (2012-21) and later the artistic director (2016-18) at Clark House Initiative, Mumbai.
Artist is represented by gallery Art and Charlie, Mumbai, India.
Gallery information: Art and Charlie
Nestled in a charming 15th-century Indo-Portuguese bungalow in the heart of Bandra, Mumbai, Art and Charlie is more than just a gallery—it’s a dynamic cultural hub. Dedicated to amplifying the voices of emerging and mid-career artists with strong contemporary perspectives rooted in South Asia, the gallery curates thought-provoking exhibitions that engage with macro-societal concerns, including decolonization, environmental change, and marginalized communities.
Art and Charlie represents artists working across diverse mediums—sculptural, conceptual, painterly, site-specific, and performative. The gallery also collaborates with emerging curators who contribute to India’s evolving cultural zeitgeist. Since its inception in 2022, Art and Charlie has platformed over 50 visual artists of South Asian origin from across the world.
A New Cultural Pulse in Bandra
Deliberately positioned in Bandra—an emerging creative hotspot—Art and Charlie bridges the gap between Mumbai’s traditional art district in Colaba and the wider city. By breaking down the notion that art is exclusive or intimidating, the gallery invites engagement from all walks of life. Inspired by the local Bandra phrase, “Ey Charlie!”, the gallery embraces the idea of art for every person, every Charlie.
Beyond exhibitions, Art and Charlie fosters interdisciplinary dialogue by hosting experimental cultural performances every weekend—welcoming music, dance, and theatre enthusiasts to discover visual art in an immersive way. The space regularly presents curated theatre, film screenings, and interactive workshops, ensuring that art is not just observed but experienced.
A Space to Engage, Reflect, and Connect
Art and Charlie encourages visitors to go beyond the walls, sparking conversations that connect art with everyday life. The gallery’s in-house café, run by Mumbai’s beloved roastery SUBKO, adds to this experience—offering an inviting space where guests can sip espresso, linger over art, and engage in meaningful discussions.
In the quaint by-lanes of Bandra’s Pali Village, a striking red bungalow has been reimagined as a place where contemporary art meets cultural expression. Art and Charlie is not just a gallery—it’s a movement, redefining how art is consumed, appreciated, and celebrated.
Gallery contact: team@artandcharlie.com
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Gallery address: Art and Charlie, 71A Pali Village, Bandra West, Mumbai 400050