Manik Raj Nakra employs an ornate, imaginative style rooted in antiquities—including classical Indian iconography, such as the densely detailed imagery associated with Mughal painting, and architectural forms from the Roman Empire. His colorful and humorous scenarios depict interactions between humans, deities, and animals that draw equally from ancient folklore and contemporary pop culture.

In Man Who Fell to Earth, his most ambitious composition to date, Nakra finds inspiration in the Greek myth of Icarus, whose hubris led him to dismiss warnings that his manmade, wax wings would melt if he flew too close to the sun. The mural’s title also pays homage to the 1976 film “The Man Who Fell to Earth,” in which David Bowie portrays an alien seeking water for his home planet, which is suffering from severe drought. In this panoramic scene, viewers are positioned amongst a group of animals, including a snake, a rat, and, at the center, a leopard, who watch the events transpire from afar. Nakra often uses exotic animals, particularly jungle cats, as stand-ins for the violence and greed of human history, colonial domination, and the exploitation of natural resources. Whether this scene can be read as a commentary on imperialism’s effects on the environment or a hopeful vision of a landscape on the precipice of returning to nature remains up for interpretation.

Commissioned by The Contemporary Austin. Man Who Fell to Earth is curated by Alex Klein, Head Curator and Director of Curatorial Affairs. Special thanks to Emma Schmidt, Mural Project Manager, and to Show Goat Mural Works.

This original work of art is sponsored by our friends at The Loren, who share our commitment to supporting artists and the creative culture of Austin.

About the Artist

Manik Raj Nakra’s (b. 1982, Olympia, WA; lives and works in Austin, TX) paintings, drawings, and installations take inspiration from ancient mythology to reflect on humankind’s existential relationship to nature in the present. His work is often characterized by a colorful palette employing a graphic language referencing traditional Indian iconography and ancient artifacts and architecture. Although his subjects are located within historically rooted narratives, they invite viewers to reflect on the contemporary relevance of themes such as power, imperialism, lust, spirituality, and ecology. For the past decade, Nakra has consistently exhibited his artwork in solo and group exhibitions throughout Texas. He received his BA from the University of Texas at Austin in 2004.

About the Mural Program

Via the museum’s mural program, the Jones Center facade is transformed and activated as a prominent exhibition space. The presence of a mural at the museum’s central public location— blocks away from the state’s capitol building— activates the local environment and offers an extraordinarily accessible contemporary art experience amid downtown city life. Austin residents, workers, and visitors can live with a contemporary artist-created mural for an extended period of time—contemplating it at different times of day, developing a new relationship with an artist’s work, and experiencing contemporary art as a regular part of their lives—irrespective of ever stepping foot inside the museum. The mural at The Contemporary, presented alongside Jim Hodges’ With Liberty and Justice For All (A Work in Progress…), distinguishes the corner of 7th & Congress as a highly visible public art experience that is an integral part of all Congress Avenue has to offer.

ORIGIN OF THE MURAL PROGRAM

The mural program was born out of the challenges of the pandemic, as The Contemporary was driven to think creatively and resourcefully about how to connect the public with unique contemporary art experiences even during periods of social distancing. The program was launched with a new work by Austin-based artist Deborah Roberts (2021), followed by a large-scale mural of work by the beloved and iconic Daniel Johnston (2022), and most recently featured a text-based piece by internationally renowned artist Jenny Holzer (2022)—each project presented in concert with an exhibition.

Acknowledgements

This original work of art was sponsored by our friends at The Loren, who share our commitment to supporting artists and the creative culture of Austin.

Additional funding generously provided by:

Renata Anderson & Raj Singh, Neema Amini, Chirag & Avani Jhaveri, Meena Vendal, Nidhi & Tanuj Nakra, Deepa Donde, Paradeep & Rushmi Kumar, Avani & Chris Vije, Emily & Bob Wong, Shelli Sehti, Robin & Rob Wilder

Behind the Scenes

  Special thanks to Revelator for their generous support in making this video possible.

Press Release

The Contemporary Austin and The Loren Hotel Announce Partnership and New Mural at the Jones Center