Rare Tagore painting up for auction in UK, NGMA connects art and nation-building, and more in Indian art news

A SUMMARY OF THE MOST EXCITING ART NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

While we focus on Indian art, we can’t obviously function in a vacuum. It’s a small world and everything is connected, especially on the web. So, let’s train our spotlight across the world map to see what’s going on — from art trends to socio-political issues to everything that affects the great aesthetic global consciousness. Or, let’s just travel the world and have some fun!

 

NGMA hosts ‘Anantam’, discusses nation-building

The National Gallery of Modern Art on Friday last week marked the 75th year of Indian Independence —for the same, NGMA hosted artists of various styles and eras with an event to establish a “cohesive creative vision” on the role that visual arts can play in the development of the nation. It director general Adwaita Gadanayak reportedly said ‘Anantam’ was a gathering where people could “participate in a creative dialogue on the role of art in nation-building and sustainable development”. Attendees included recognised names such as Jatin Das, Raghu Rai, Samit Das and Kanchan Chander as well as emerging artists and art students. The Indian Express tells you more.

 

Rabindranath Tagore painting slated for rare UK auction

An untitled 56.8cm x 45.7cm Tagore painting of a “couple”, deemed as \’considerably larger than most of his works\’, is to be auctioned by Christie’s on September 22. Created in the 1930s, the price estimate associated with it is between $120,000 and $180,000 (Rs 88 lakh-Rs 1.3 crore). Till date, it has been passed on in the family of German industrialist, writer and liberal politician Rathenau as an heirloom, and was acquired directly from Tagore. His portrayal of the figures in the untitled (couple) is unlike most of his paintings of human subjects, critics have said. The Telegraph has the details.

 

Art soothes inmates in Chandigarh jail

Adding colour to their lives, as many as 350 vibrant and intricate paintings have been created in the past one year by 11 inmates — nine men and two women — of the Model Jail, Burail (Chandigarh). Moreover, in an effort to encourage this medium of rehabilitation, the jail authorities have now come up with an art gallery on the premises to showcase the inmates’ talent. The paintings include modern art, sceneries and portraits. The jail also plans to sell the paintings online through its website and incentivise the inmates. The Tribune reports.