An international collaborative art project, Artdom, is set to showcase the creative talents of nine female visual artists from India and an equal number from the United Kingdom. The project aims to initiate cultural exchange and artistic dialogue between the two nations. Artdom, founded by Swedish-Iranian artist and activist Arghavan Agida, has previously connected artists from different countries, including Sweden and Iran, and Norway and Pakistan. This year’s edition, titled “Building Bridges with Art,” focuses on the UK and India, shedding light on the shared history and deep relationship between the two countries.
The artworks created through Artdom will be previewed in Mumbai on February 17, with subsequent public exhibitions planned for Oslo and London later in the year. Arghavan Agida, who has been coordinating the completion of the artworks in India since early this year, believes in the power of art to transcend borders and bring people together. She emphasises the importance of creating a platform that facilitates connections and collaborations among artists from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
The chosen theme for this edition of Artdom is equality. Arghavan Agida, a former Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Women National Committee in Sweden, conducted extensive research on artists in the UK and India, seeking commonalities in style, skills, and spirit. Her goal was to pair artists who could create a joint artwork addressing significant topics related to equality.
The artists involved in Artdom include Rosso Emerald Crimson (UK) and Nilisha Phad (India), Melissa Magg (UK) and Nidhi Mariam Jacob (India), Anna Sudbina (UK) and Premila Singh (India), Sarah Jarrett (UK) and Manjri Varde (India), Amy Dury (UK) and Sej (India), Naila Hazell (UK) and Atia Sen (India), Jackie Berridge (UK) and Monica Ghule (India), Harriet Pattinson (UK) and Bhakti Lad (India), and Mahshad Afshar (UK) and Karishma Wadhwa (India).
The unique approach of pairing artists from different countries to create joint artworks sparks dialogue and provides diverse insights. British contemporary artist Anna Sudbina, paired with Delhi-based artist Premila Singh, appreciates the opportunity to collaborate and explore new artistic avenues. The resulting artwork, titled “Divine Feminine,” will be showcased in the Mumbai preview.
Another collaboration between UK collage artist Sarah Jarrett and social media star and artist Manjri Varde explores the concept of equality through nature. Sarah’s interpretation of equality within the context of ecological uncertainty resonated deeply with Manjri, as they found common ground in their shared understanding of humanity’s connection with the earth.
While India boasts a robust democracy, the study accompanying Artdom sheds light on the challenges women continue to face both at home and in the workplace. By highlighting these issues through art, Artdom aims to contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding women’s rights and promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of different cultures and ways of life.
Artdom’s initiative to bring together artists from India and the UK not only celebrates creativity but also serves as a platform for social discourse. By fostering collaboration and cultural exchange, Artdom exemplifies the power of art to transcend boundaries and build bridges between nations, ultimately promoting equality and unity in a world that still grapples with gender disparities.
Feature image courtesy: artdom
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