from airplanes to liquor bottles, rajesh vora captures colossal rooftop sculptures of punjab

Rencontres d’Arles presents Everyday Baroque photo exhibition

As part of the Rencontres d’Arles festival, photographer Rajesh Vora presents Everyday Baroque, a series of images capturing the unique sculptural objects adorning the rooftops of homes in the Punjab hinterland. From colossal airplanes, football players, liquor bottles, and vases, the unique sculptures create a distinctive aesthetic that sets the region’s domestic architecture apart.

Rajesh Vora. Daulatpur Village, Nawanshahr District, Punjab, 2015. Courtesy of the artist / PHOTOINK

Rajesh Vora Explores Punjab’s Rooftop Sculptures

Rajesh Vora has dedicated over 30 years to photography, driven by a profound interest in environmental preservation and the conservation of vanishing habitats. His practice reflects these concerns, often focusing on urban issues that intersect with broader societal, cultural, and political contexts in India.

At the Rencontres d’Arles festival (find more here), the Mumbai-based photographer showcases his fascination with the everyday sculptural adornments on Punjab’s rooftop homes. This vernacular craft, initially patronized by the first wave of Non-resident Indians (NRIs) who began building homes in their villages in the late 1970s, has evolved into a significant aspect of the village landscape. While these homes often remain closed throughout the year, awaiting their owners’ annual return, these vibrant objects serve as reminders of their struggles, achievements, and prosperity.

Rajesh Vora. Mehat Village, Kapurthala District, Punjab, 2014. Courtesy of the artist / PHOTOINK

The Role of Rooftop Art in Punjab

The rooftop sculptures adorning homes across Punjab portray a remarkable array of subjects—from battle tanks and weight lifters to heroes, footballs, animals, Maruti cars, and notably, airplanes. Against the serene backdrop of the region’s landscape, these installations stand out as vivid expressions of creativity and aspiration. Rajesh Vora’s initial curiosity about these objects evolved into a passionate quest, spanning over 6,000 km across four Punjab districts to document them photographically.

These sculptures not only symbolize personal ambitions but also hold deep cultural significance, embedded in the histories of their absent owners. They form a distinctive part of Punjab’s domestic architecture, offering a narrative rich in humor, celebration, and contemplation of the region’s evolving heritage.

Rajesh Vora. Uppal Bhupa Village, Jalandhar District, Punjab, 2015. Courtesy of the artist / PHOTOINK