Blurring cultural diversities through art exhibition

Paintings from 25 artists from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) have captured various hues and moods of Indian culture and the artworks are a representation of their observation.

The collaboration of Indo-Asean artists for the exhibition 'Merging Metaphors' is curated by Sushma Bahl with Archana B. Sapra as an assistance under the aegis of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) here.

The stark resemblance of Indian flavours in these 44 paintings can't be ignored: Indian girls in bright salwaar kameez walking down the roads, a waiter peeping through a window and trying to hear the conversation between two Indian women, a school girl in her uniform looking sad and dejected and an untitled painting left for interpretations.

"A creative joint workshop was held in the scenic Darjeeling hills where without any set of rules. They all have, through these paintings, interpreted what they saw and observed during that workshop," Bahl told IANS.

"The outcome is diverse," she added.

The idea behind bringing these artists from Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and India was to share cultural and geographical proximity and promote bonding through art.

"There is a common cultural and civilizational thread which brings India and Asean countries together. We share similar traditions in Batik textile prints and other weaves. The vibrant similarities have been possible because of earlier interactions between India and these countries dating back to almost 1,500 years ago," said Suresh K. Goel, director general, ICCR.

The exhibition is open from June 29 to July 4.