Abirpothi

IIC Delhi Brings ‘Father and Son’ to the Public

Painting of a woman stepping out of home by Sureshwar Sen

IIC Delhi X Raza Foundation

In collaboration with the Raza Foundation, IIC Delhi is bringing the ‘Father and Son’ duo of Bireswar Sen and Sureshwar Sen to broad daylight. The never-before-seen artworks come from the private collection of Prithviswar Sen and Sarbani Ghosh. The exhibition is on view from 11 – 24 December 2024 from 11 AM to 7 PM at the IIC Art Gallery, Kamaladevi Complex. The curatorial team includes Ella Datta, Pradip Kumar Datta, Aparna Nambiar, and Prithviswar Sen.

A painting of mountains by Bireswar Sen
Courtesy – IIC Delhi

What to Expect at ‘Father and Son’?

Conceptualised in January 2023 by Prof. Goswamy, the exhibition can be viewed in several ways: as a striking generational shift, as an exploration of the remarkable fusion of multiple cultures of painting drawn from different parts of the globe, and as an expression of the efflorescence and hybridity of modern Indian art traditions that have their locus in Lucknow (the home of both painters) but draw on many centres.

A Temple painting by Sureshwar Sen
Courtesy – IIC Delhi

These range from the Bengal School of Jorasankho (Bireswar Sen’s training ground with the Tagores) as well as Santiniketan (where Sureshwar Sen trained and worked in the company of Ramkinkar and Benode Behari, under the tutelage of Nandalal)

The Opening of ‘Father and Son’?

Father and Son’ was inaugurated by Sunita Narain, Director General, Centre for Science and Environment on Thursday, 5 December 2024. The Guest of Honor include Dr Krishna S. Vatsa; a National Disaster Management Authority member in New Delhi.

Painting by Bireswar Sen
Courtesy – IIC Delhi

Catch Prithviswar Sen conducting a walkthrough on the 13th, 17th, and 22nd of December 2024 at 4 PM. On 20th December 2024 at 6 PM, you can participate in an illustrated lecture by Prof Pradip K. Datta, entitled, ‘The Art of Openness: Perspectives from a Father and his Son

Image Courtesy – IIC Delhi