Somen Deb - Indian Summer II

"India Contemporary curated by Veer Hooda" presents a rare opportunity for Collectors and Art lovers in Europe to acquire the original works of highly established Indian Contemporary Artists and create a connection with one of the most vibrant and fast growing art market in the world.

The Auction is curated by internationally acclaimed Indo-European artist - Veer Hooda - in collaboration with the highly esteemed NIV Art Center, New Delhi and available exclusively on Catawiki.

About the Artist: Somen Deb

Born: 1978

Education: Master of Arts (Fine Arts), University of Calcutta / Pracheen Kala Kendra
Location: Kolkata, West Bengal

Artist Biography:

Somen is a contemporary Indian painter who emerged from the vibrant art scene of Kolkata in the late 1990s. After completing his foundational studies, he pursued a Master’s degree at the University of Calcutta, where he specialized in fine arts. His work is deeply rooted in the "Bengal School" tradition but is updated with a modern, narrative-driven approach.

Artistic Style & Themes:

Narrative Realism: His paintings primarily use acrylics and oils to tell "real-life stories". He often focuses on the daily lives, struggles, and quiet moments of the common man in urban and semi-urban Bengal.

Humanism: Much of his portfolio centers on the human figure, exploring themes of resilience, hope, and social connection.

Versatility: Beyond canvas, he has contributed to literary arts through book cover illustrations and collaborated with international publishers.

Selected Achievements & Exhibitions:

Shilpi Samman: Recipient of the prestigious Shilpi Samman award for his contributions to the local art community.

Exhibitions: His work has been featured in several group shows across Kolkata’s major galleries and across India, including the Academy of Fine Arts and Birla Academy of Art and Culture.

About Veer Hooda : ig : @vi_hov

Veer Hooda is an Indo-European (Austrian) contemporary artist based in Vienna, whose practice is shaped by a deep connection to his Indian roots and a great love for his now home, Europe.

Veer Hooda has exhibited across some of the top galleries and exhibitions across the world and has recently finished his sold-out show in Miami Art Basel 2025, this year (2026) 2he will be exhibiting in, among other highly esteemed exhibitions, Venice Biennale 2026, ArtExpo New York 2026, multiple exhibitions across Europe and Austria and returning to Art Basel Miami at the end of the year.

While his own work reflects a strong conceptual and material sensibility developed through years of creative and professional experience, Hooda is equally driven by a clear mission: to make outstanding Indian artistic talent more visible and accessible within the European art market.

Positioned between India and Europe, Hooda acts as a cultural bridge, offering early access to artists and narratives that are quickly gaining significant international recognition already — making his curatorial and artistic vision a distinct insider perspective at a pivotal moment for Indian Contemporary Art.


About NIV Art Center: ig : @nivartcenter

NIV Art Centre is a leading contemporary art institution based in New Delhi, dedicated to advancing arts, films and new media practices within a global framework. With a strong national cultural vision and an international outlook, NIV serves as a dynamic platform for artistic research, production, and exchange.

Through its international residency program, NIV brings together Indian and global artists, offering professional studio spaces and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration within one of Asia’s most influential metropolitan art environments.

NIV functions as a connector across the art ecosystem—linking artists, institutions, and audiences—and stands as a hub for cultural dialogue, innovation, and global artistic engagement.

 
The collaboration between Veer Hooda & NIV Art Center:

An exclusive collaboration between Veer Hooda and NIV Art Center, marks a decisive step in bringing leading Indian contemporary artists to the European art market through curated exchange and long-term collaboration.

India’s contemporary art scene is experiencing an exceptional moment—dynamic, intellectual, with many voices, and rapidly growing in both global visibility and investment value. With increasing interest from international collectors and institutions, this is a compelling time for European collectors to engage with Indian Contemporary Art at a pivotal stage of its global ascent.

For this collaboration, Veer Hooda personally curates a selection of outstanding works by established Indian Contemporary Artists in collaboration with NIV, chosen for their artistic depth, originality, and long-term relevance. Each artwork reflects the strength and diversity of today’s Indian art landscape while resonating with an international collector base.

The curated works will be offered exclusively via auction on Catawiki, providing European collectors and art lovers direct access to museum-level Indian Contemporary Art through a trusted international platform.

This collaboration is not just an exhibition—it is a gateway: a carefully curated introduction of India’s most compelling Contemporary Voices to Europe’s collectors, at a moment when the market is vibrant, forward-moving, and full of opportunity.


About the Artwork:

Artist: Somen Deb

Name: Indian Summer II

Year: 2011

Size: 5 feet (152 cm) x 4 feet (122 cm) x 3 cm

Technique: Acrylic on canvas

Signed and Authenticity: All works are hand signed by the artist and a signed Certificate of Authenticity for all works will be provided by NIV Art Center.

Packaging & Insurance: The painting will be packaged professionally and shipped rolled in a tube. The Artwork is fully insured on the way to the buyer.

Duties and import: The import duties on original artworks to most EU countries is 0%, however some countries may apply an Import VAT of 5-12% and/or clearance fees which has to be paid by the buyer before delivery, this has to be done online in most cases through the service of the delivery company. This is a fairly simple process, however, we will gladly assist if needed with anything.