Jointly curated by Visual Art, whose prime aim is the promotion of Indian art in the UK and Shyamal Burman-Roy; this exhibition brings together five artists who have all been influenced by the subcontinent through their experiences and cultural background. The show features the work of Sakti Burman, Jayasri Burman, Maya Burman, Maité Delteil and Paresh Maity; all individually recognised and highly praised throughout the international art world and who, uniquely, happen to be closely related.

Based in India and France, the artists come together in London for their first joint show, which is set to be an impressive introduction to the UK. Although their styles vary they are all 'clearly rooted in an essential harmony'; all 'longing to portray the earth they behold and the visions they imagine'.

ABOUT THE VISUAL ART EXHIBITION

If creation is a dream of existence then perhaps the canvas holds its journey. Over eons people have expressed their desires through expression, a call before arrival, a desire to portray the world they perceive and perhaps the world they wistfully glimpsed on waking. In this exhibition we shall host several paintings from a collection of artists longing to portray the earth they behold and the visions they imagine. A collaboration of styles both varied and yet rooted in an essential harmony. These are not merely artists touched by a subcontinent but those who have found its fragrance dispersed in their stroke, they have witnessed a world so delightful it shall bear comfort to us all.

The promotion of contemporary Indian artists in the UK has always been the prime aim for Visual Art, an enterprise established in 2000 and already having hosted twenty shows. The organisation aims to subvert previous concepts of orientalism and any exotic stereotyping of Indian art whilst enabling the world’s largest secular democracy to communicate its modern and globalized message. Those at Visual Art wish to draw further attention to the stunning and exceptional talent of Indian artists, both ancient and modern, and in the process to popularise Indian art. This aim however is firmly rooted in the desire for a mutual appreciation of culture, a connection that must surely be integral to any multicultural and peaceful co-existence.

In a slight departure, Visual Arts, in association with Mr Shyamal Burman-Roy, now present this exceptional collection of very well known artists from both India, Paresh Maity and Jayasree Burman and France, Sakti Burman, Maite Delteil and Maya Burman with the hope to further highlight the flow of universal commonality. In addition this exhibition will attempt to offer some weight to protection and support the valuable work of CINI (Child In Need Institute).

Founded in 1974 in a village on the southern fringes of Kolkata, CINI targets children and women from poor families who suffer from malnutrition, ill health and illiteracy. The coverage now extends to over 500,000 people living in West Bengal, the newly created state of Jharkhand, and UP. This growing charity has seen both national and international acclaim for its work, including: The National Award in Child Welfare given by the President of India in 1985, “Liguria”, the International Prize from Genoa, Italy in 1991, and The Allen Feinstein Hunger Award from Brown University, USA in 1994.

Almost 40 per cent of children in India are malnourished and this early assault often leads to a retardation of both mental and physical growth during childhood, with diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases developing in later life. In addition few of these children are adequately positioned to take advantage of education during primary school years, and often drop out of school to end up as street or working children. In over 60 villages CINI has been implementing a programme of preventing malnutrition and ill health, and over the last 30 years have gone further still to respond to other health educatio issues. In 2002 the Child In Need Institute UK (CINI UK - Registered Charity Number: 1092674) was created to support the outstanding work of CINI in India, donation from each of this exhibition’s sales will be made to this exemplary organisation.

If creation was a dream of existence then perhaps we had dreamt beyond our minds, perhaps we attempted a perception that ran forth before our birth. Perhaps. If an existence can be dreamt of then just maybe, in a moment, this canvas will help us, this art may be the muse to blossoms.

Soumitra Burman-Roy
Visual Art, UK.

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