A Unique Week in New York

The dog days of summer are generally uneventful ones in the Indian contemporary art world--major spring auctions have passed, upcoming fall sales remain in the planning stages. It is a usually a time for relaxation, vacations, and beating the heat.

Not so in New York, as two exceptional events unfolded in the week just ended. The first occurred on the evening of July 10, when TamarindArt Gallery, 142 East 39th Street in Manhattan, held a reception kicking off their show Of Images and Illusions. Of course, exhibition openings are commonplace; not so, however, when an artist of legendary stature makes a guest appearance. On this night, 92-year old M. F. Husain was present, mingling with those fortunate enough to have been in attendance for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Mr. Husain, still remarkably lively, his trademark flowing white hair and beard neatly cropped short, offered appreciation of the paintings showcasing the work of five of India’s most talented young artists of this generation: Pappu Bardhan, Pratul Dash, Chhatrapati Dutta, Chandrima Bhattacharyya, and Mahjabin Majumdar, the latter two who were also present. In an interview with The Indian Star reporter Lalit K. Jha, he also mentioned that although he is currently living in Dubai, he can return to India anytime he wants, and is not living in self-imposed exile due to his controversial paintings that have inflamed Hindu fundamentalists there. (Click here to read entire article.)

The summer show Of Images and Illusions—which brings together human imagery in greatly different styles and execution—will be on display at TamarindArt until August 11.

A second significant event occurred yesterday morning at Sotheby’s, where a special auction was held to raise awareness and funding for the construction of The Kolkata Museum of Modern Art. The mega project is designated as the first national art museum in India, and whose mission will to collect, preserve and exhibit national and international works of fine art from the 18th century to contemporary art.

Lots that were part of the benefit sale included paintings, sculptures and photographs by Tyeb Mehta, Jehangir Sabavala, Somnath Hore, Sakti Burman, Ram Kumar, F.N Souza, Akbar Padamsee, Jogen Chowdhury, Ganesh Pyne, Arpita Singh, Rameshwar Broota, Paresh Maity, Subodh Gupta, Chintan Upadhyay, Baiju Parthan and Dayanita Singh among others.

When the final hammer came down, over $1.5 million USD were raised for the sprawling complex that will encompass 10 acres and will have four major sections: National Galleries, Western Galleries, Far Eastern Galleries and a large academic wing to promote research, conservation and curatorial practices. This was the first time that over 70 artists, various galleries, private individuals, and an international auction house have come together to support a national art museum in India.

Despite a week of sweltering mid-July temperatures, New York City seemed the cool place to be in regards to Indian art, artists, galleries, and museums.