The Facts
Thaddaeus Ropac presents 'Night Sonnets', Raqib Shaw's first UK exhibition of new work since 2015, featuring a cycle of nocturnal paintings and a tapestry. The works explore moonlight and night conditions, drawing on Shaw's memories of moonlit saffron fields in his boyhood Kashmir, the poetry of Habba Khatoon, and references to Ludwig II of Bavaria. Shaw, who works by night in his London studio, creates detailed compositions with interplay of moonlight, firelight, and shadow, depicting psychologically charged landscapes with figures, animals, and imaginary creatures. The exhibition includes never-before-seen works.
The Signal
The exhibition signals a significant return for Shaw to the UK gallery scene after an 11-year hiatus, offering collectors a concentrated view of his mature practice. Shaw's meticulous, jewel-like technique and layered cultural references—from Kashmiri folklore to Bavarian romanticism—position him as a singular voice in contemporary painting. For collectors, this show provides rare access to a cohesive new body of work that deepens his established themes of light, darkness, and narrative, potentially reinforcing his secondary market presence.
- Artists: Raqib Shaw
- People: Habba Khatoon, Ludwig II of Bavaria
- Galleries: Thaddaeus Ropac
- Locations: London
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