Spectrum of Indian art goes to Abu Dhabi

An exhibition of Indian art, giving a comprehensive history of its evolution over the last five decades, is drawing appreciative audiences at the Emirates Palace Hotel here. The show, ‘Spectrum’, traces trends and movements, from the Progressives (comprising of FN Souza, MF Husain, etc) to the moderns, and right up to contemporary artists who have gone beyond the canvas to explore newer media.

The show has been curated by Mumbai art experts Dr Sarayu Doshi and Pheroza Godrej under the auspices of the Indian embassy in the UAE. Over 100 pieces by more than 80 artists are on show, from Husain to Jitish Kallat.

“It was an attempt to showcase what India has to offer and go beyond the traditional definition of Indian culture,” says Indian ambassador Talmiz Ahmad. To make it a success, he roped in local Indian community stalwarts, who donated handsomely to set up a core fund for the show. The local partner for the exhibition is Abu Dhabi Culture and Heritage, a government body.

Doshi, who during her years as Mumbai National Gallery of Modern Art director had mounted a similar exhibition in Oman when Ahmad was posted there, was invited nearly 20 months ago. She roped in Godrej, who runs an art gallery in Mumbai and together they set about acquiring works from galleries, artists and private collectors. “It was not easy, since we wanted specific painters whose works were in private hands,” recalls Doshi.

There were many hits and misses and many changes of dates and venues but the team persevered. Finally, it all came together for November, and it was a happy augury because the Abu Dhabi Art Fair was also scheduled at the same place and at the same time. At the fair, leading world galleries have brought some of the world’s biggest names of modern art, such as Picasso, Joan Miro, Damien Hirst and Jeff Koons.

Yet another show at the venue is about the making of the Abu Dhabi Guggenheim, a prestigious venture of the New York Museum of the same name which is tying up with the local government for a similar institution to be opened in 2014. It is all part of Abu Dhabi’s ambitious plan to become a culture hub in the Middle East, for which the Guggenheim, the Louvre and others have been invited.

‘Spectrum’ fits in with the international trend of projecting soft power. Though Bollywood is out there in every corner of the planet and Indian influences are finding their way into fashion, art captures an entirely new section of the elite and the younger demographic. “While the momentum of political and economic relations continues to be sustained, we cannot but note with concern that our (bilateral) cultural ties do not match their earlier resonance and that a large number of young people in the Gulf are not as familiar with aspects of Indian culture as their parents and grandparents,” Ahmad’s preface in the catalogue says.

Towards this goal, many more events, including a seminar on Indian cinema, have been organised in the emirate. Hundreds of visitors, both from among the Abu Dhabi royal family, local residents and NRIs, to international art players, including gallerists, curators and critics, are visiting the Indian exhibition. Many have shown an interest in buying the works, and the biggest hits are those which reflect a sense of “Indianness”, though some of the edgier works are also drawing appreciative comments.

The show is on till November 28.