‘Kalpana’ (‘Imagination’) an exhibition of reproductions of Indian Contemporary Figurative Art is currently on at the National Gallery, Castellani House.
The exhibition, which opened last Tuesday, features masterpieces of Indian contemporary figurative art by 14 of the leading painters of India.
Anjolie Ela Menon, one of the exhibition’s artists curated the show which ends on February 6.
The exhibition, is presented by the National Gallery in collaboration with the Indian Cultural Centre, High Commission of India and shows 29 works by 10 men and 4 women, some of the most well-known and influential in Indian modern art, many of whom have received India’s highest cultural awards as well as notable recognition on the international art scene.
The works, executed in the artists’ distinctive and vibrant styles, all have in common the figurative elements of the human body in various forms and groupings, covering themes which reflect personal and social commentary and everyday life and concerns, while at the same time drawing on the depth and richness of Indian culture and traditions and engaging with the abstract language of twentieth century modern art and more recent elements of the contemporary scene.
The highly valuable original paintings have been reproduced in high-quality facsimiles which have allowed this exhibition, through the auspices of its organizers, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, to travel to many cities around the world since its inauguration in 2008.