Exhibition promotes global peace through Gandhi's ideals

To promote global peace and unity through an exhibition inspired by the ideals of Mahatama Gandhi, the United Nations has launched a new campaign -- 'Together: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All'.
Titled 'SANMATI', the exhibition by veteran artist Shyam Sharma, comprises of prints on Gandhi's life and philosophy, and seeks to promote respect, safety and dignity for all.
Organised by the UN Information Centre for India and Bhutan in collaboration with RPR Gallery, the show is underway at the Lalit Kala Akademi here.
The collaboration is also exploring the extreme ideas of hatred and tolerance by putting together panel displays and film screenings on 'Remember Slavery: Recognizing the legacy and Contribution of people of African Descent' and 'The State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda'.

"The exhibition displaying two extreme examples of hatred and intolerance has a counter balance of art showing Gandhi's benign principles of unity and respect for each other.
"The key reason for this exhibition is to see how close are the concepts of tolerance and intolerance, and how easy it is for one to shift and fall into the other," says Derk Seggar, Director, UN Information Centre for India and Bhutan.

Sharma, who used the indigenous process of printmaking to create fifty pieces of artwork for the 'Sanmati' series, says "technique does not matter, what really matters is that the message you intend to convey is spread to everyone".

"This is a humble tribute to the 'Father of the Nation' not just from me but the whole artistic fraternity. 'SANMATI' is inspired by his life, ideals and philosophy. It follows the artistic trajectory of Nandalal Bose's leno cut 'Bapu'," he says.
The exhibition is set to continue till April 7.