New Delhi: Having most turbulent border LOC, art communities on both
side, India and Pakistan are trying to make two fronts one in the international
art arena of visual arts.
Having proper diplomatic involvement, the seventh
edition of India art fair can introduce Mumbai based young artist Shilpa Gupta
and Lahore based artist Rashid Rana under one pavilion.
The Gujral Foundation for the joint pavilion at Venice Biennale
will help showcase the subcontinent's art at a global forum and India Art Fair.
The seventh India Art Fair, which will be held in Delhi
from January 29 to February 1, will keep its focus on South Asia, with a
pavilion dedicated to Pakistan. India Art Fair director Neha Kripal is in talks
with the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi and Indian diplomats in the
neighbouring county to work out an exchange programme for art ambassador from
each to visit museums and art colleges later this year, reports Economic Times.
According to report, Neha Kripal has stated that
dedicated visitors and collectors to India Art Fair have demanded to showcase
them Pakistani Art, so IAF objective is to fill the that demand.
"Having crystallised our positioning over the last
seven years, we have put the focus on our South Asian identity in an impactful
way. For this, we are going to ensure that we have a deep and broad
representation not just from India but also from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan,
Sri Lanka and Nepal," Neha said.
On IAF efforts, Rashid Rana says, “Art can transcend
boundaries. Despite the hard political borders, art has the advantage to not be
subjected by them entirely."
IAF is currently trying to facilitate easier travel norms
for sub continental artists to India besides helping out elsewhere in the
region. "We have also tried to give network and goodwill support to the
Dhaka art summit, Colombo Biennale and the forthcoming projects in
Karachi," said Kirpal, emphasising the need for global recognition to
South Asian Artist.
