2007 – Ongoing
Since 1984, India and Pakistan have been zealously guarding their territories on the Siachen Glacier. This endless conflict over the ownership of the glacier, has been fought at an altitude of 17,000 feet, which makes it the coldest battlefield on earth, with temperatures reaching around -60°Celsius. In 2007, Baptist began researching this glacial conflict and has developed a large body of work in various mediums, which has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions worldwide. These artworks reveal the paradox of heroism when confronted by brutally cold climates, and the perils of uncertain border tensions.
In 2009, the artist presented a solo exhibition, “You can’t afford to have emotions out there…” at the Visual Arts Gallery, Delhi and Project 88, Mumbai. The exhibition focused on the life of the soldier – not as a machine of war, but as a man with vulnerabilities, who serves up to three months on the glacier. In 2015, the artist presented another solo exhibition, thread by thread at the Goethe-Zentrum, Hyderabad and the Ladakh Arts and Media Organization (LAMO), Leh. This exhibition drew its inspiration from the various fabrics used by the Siachen soldiers, when serving on the glacier.
Continuing in 2016, Baptist developed a project that included research and various archives about the glacier, before it became a conflict zone in 1984. From this research, the artist developed a large installation for a three-person solo exhibition, Traces of War at Somerset House, London. Baptist’s research also focuses on the Ladakhi porters who assist the Indian soldiers and officers posted on the glacier. In 2019, a selection of photographs developed during this research was part of his solo exhibition, Body-Automaton at JSLH Gallery, Sonipat. It still hasn’t ended, was presented in 2024 as a solo exhibition at Bâtiment IV, Esch-sur-Alzette. This show emphasized the persistent and never-ending saga of border tensions. The Siachen project continues to grow as his research develops and unfolds. – Updated Jul 2024
