New Delhi to Witness an Exhibition on Musawwari Artwork

Time of India , September 27, 2024
Twenty two artists are about to come together for a one-of-a-kind art exhibition on Musawwari artwork, a traditional style of miniature painting that is considered to have originated in South Asia. Throughout the history of this art form, it has evolved in nature with both inherited, traditional elements finding its place beside new iconographies and innovations.

 

Historically, it has also engaged in a dialogue with non-Persian motifs, such as Chinese landscapes and central Asian figures. Transcending geographical boundaries and intersecting cultures today, Musawwari remains relevant through its pluralistic engagements. The exhibition will showcase how the art form is perceived today by artists in Europe, North America, Ecuador, South Asia, and the Middle East. They are expected to demonstrate a mutual influence, where Indian aesthetics are reinterpreted within contemporary global contexts.

 

Khushboo Jain, curator of the exhibition, titled Musawwari: Miniatures Today says, “For many centuries, miniature art has symbolised many things: the vast wealth and power of those who commissioned the work, the impact of colonialism, and also of anti-colonialism, when adopted by artists as an indigenous artform. Today, it stands as a symbol of cultural resilience and creativity, serving as a springboard for contemporary artists to explore new ideas and narratives.”

 

The exhibition will take place at Ojas Art, New Delhi between October 4 and November 24, 11 am onwards. The exhibition seeks to move beyond the revival of miniature art, and invites a much deeper inquiry into its dynamic and ever- evolving nature today.