Homelands exhibition opens in four cities across India this year

by EVENTFAQS Bureau | Marketing | April 23, 2013 | News

Culled from the art collection of the British Council, the UK's international organisation for educational and cultural relations, the exhibition is a unique take on contemporary British art by the Indian curator, Latika Gupta. Including more than 80 works by 28 leading modern and contemporary artists, the show excavates the idea of a ‘homeland' to reveal a rich plurality of meaning; ideas of belonging, alienation, history and memory.

Works by 28 of the world's leading contemporary artists from the British Council Collection will be showcased at the exhibition. Four of the showcased artists have been invited to visit the exhibition in India, including Mona Hatoum, Anthony Haughey, Zineb Sedira and Suki Dhanda. The artist Zineb Sedirawill be in Mumbai for the opening of Homelands. During her stay in the city, she will deliver a series of public lectures and conduct workshops at local art institutions.

Speaking about the property, Rob Lynes, Director, British Council India said: "Homelands is the British Council's flagship arts project of 2013. It's exciting because it introduces work by 28 brilliant British artists to India; because it will reach tens of thousands of people, especially young people, with the best contemporary art; and because it demonstrates the value of international collaboration, with an Indian curator Latika Gupta offering a unique slant on a British art collection.But most of all, it's exciting because it asks such fundamental questions about a world that's changing in front of our eyes, about the sometimes bewildering identity crisis that, for so many of us, constitutes modern life. Homelands demonstrates that art can help us learn about the world around us: but also, that it can help us learn about ourselves."

Homelands has rolled out a multi-layered programme that includes public exhibitions in four major metros (New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru), artist talks, seminars, curator-led walks, outreach activities and workshops.

Supported by a network of public-private partnerships initiated by the British Council, Homelands epitomises a new and innovative funding model for public art in India. Key partners helping to bring the pan-Indian exhibition together include Jaguar, Christie's, Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited and, in Mumbai, the Taj Lands End. The outreach programme, additionally supported by Outset India, is also focused on developing and cultivating unique, local partnerships and encouraging dialogue and collaboration between Indian and UK institutions.

Here is what a few partnering brands had to say:

Menaka Kumari-Shah, Christie's Head of India said: "The Homelands exhibition will showcase the very best art being produced by leading contemporary artists in Britain - a fitting juxtaposition to our international sales of works by their South Asian modern + contemporary art contemporaries. The exhibition is an opportunity for us to lend our support to cultural and educational opportunities which are important milestones in the Indian cultural agenda for 2013."

Rohit Suri, VP, Jaguar Land Rover India said: "Jaguar cars are renowned the world over for their contemporary designs and stunning great looks and I believe that art can have the same impact on people's lives. The Homelands exhibition will provide the Indian art connoisseurs with an opportunity to access great work from globally recognised artists, and we are delighted to support that."

Feroze Gujral, Director, Outset India said: "Outset India was set up to provide a platform for contemporary art in India. By supporting the extensive Homelands outreach programme - which includes workshops, public talks, and education initiatives - we will be able to offer much needed support to both artists and arts organisations across the country, during this truly exciting time for contemporary art in India."

The British Council is the UK's international organisation for cultural and educational relations. It works in more than 100 countries worldwide to build engagement and trust through the exchange of knowledge and ideas. In India, the British Council is a division of the British High Commission and works in the arts, education and society and English.