The Seventh Edition of Abir India’s First Take 2023 is to be held in Ahmedabad. Making way for up-and-coming artists, First Take is an event that is essentially paving way for the contemporary art scene of India. The Event is to be judged by an esteemed jury who would pick out 100 most extraordinary artworks from submissions by artists all over India. Moreover, out of the 100 artworks, 10 would be awarded by our members of the jury.
The show will also bring art lovers together, with dialogues, discussions and demonstrations with senior artists, art historians, art critics, curators and investors. One of our very honourable members of the jury is Dr. Nuzhat Kazmi.
Dr. Nuzhat Kazmi is a retired faculty and founder head of the Department of Art History and Art Appreciation, and Faculty of Fine Arts at Jamia Milia Islamia University, New Delhi. Being a professor, author and an astounding researcher, her works are widely cited in the fields of Art History and Criticism. More specifically her areas of expertise include Islamic art, Mughal art, and Medieval and Modern Indian Art post-European influence. Kazmi is a Commonwealth Scholar from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. She is the Foreign Editor of SAAC Online Journal, a member of the Royal Asiatic Society, London and has been invited for lectures to NGMA (National Gallery of Modern Arts), Nehru Centre, London University and much more.
Courtesy: Left Word Publishing.
Owing to her immense knowledge of the field, Kazmi has been attributed to various books and research papers on art history. One of her notable works is“Awraq-e Musavvir, Mughal Art of Portraiture”. This book explores Mughal Portraits paintings as a whole. It delves into the aspect through not just historical but also sociological, political and cultural lens. It discusses how rulers of the Mughal era were not just patrons of art but also connoisseurs. Moreover, Kazmi has also explored the portraiture narratives in terms of gender and sovereignty. Leftword publishing house describes the book as “[an] enjoyable reading for art historians, students and for the layperson interested in art or in a sensible view of the Mughal era”.
Courtesy: Amazon
One of her other widely-known works is her book titled,“Islamic Art: The Past and the Modern” (2009). The Book talks about how Islamic art developed along with all other forms of art. It has borrowed from other cultural traditions since its earliest incarnations and continues to do so today. The book examines the artistic creations produced by the Islamic civilization over the centuries, from its inception to modern interpretations. Kazmi has combined the sensitivity and seriousness that this particular kind of art demands with both the inclusive and exclusive traits of this great tradition from around the world.
Furthermore, In February 2014, Nuzhat Kazmi was invited by IGNCA (Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts), wherein she presented a lecture on Indian Modern Contemporary Art in the Context of South Asian art.
Dr. Nuzhat Kazmi’s participation as a jury member for the Seventh Edition of Abir India’s First Take 2023 holds immense significance, underscoring the event’s commitment to fostering and recognizing excellence in contemporary Indian art. Her distinguished background as a professor, author, researcher, and expert in the field of Art History and Criticism adds a layer of credibility and expertise to the judging process. Along with her extensive work in the areas of Islamic art, Mughal art, Medieval and Modern Indian Art, brings a wealth of knowledge to the judging panel. Her expertise is poised to lend a discerning eye to the selection of artworks, ensuring that the chosen pieces exemplify the highest standards of artistic achievement within the contemporary Indian art scene.
Read More:
Know Our Jury for Abir India’s First Take 2023: Murali Cheeroth
