Many Visions, Many Versions: Art from Indigenous Communities in India

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Jamuna Devi, "Raja Salhesh with his two brothers and three flower maidens," (c. 2000)

natural dyes on paper. Photo courtesy of Sneha Ganguly.

Curator’s Talk and Opening Reception: January 20, 6:30−9 pm

Explore art rarely seen in North America! Surrey Art Gallery is the only stop in Canada for you to see the travelling exhibition Many Visions, Many Versions: Art from Indigenous Communities in India that runs from January 20 to March 25. This collection of boldly coloured and vibrantly patterned paintings features the work of twenty-four contemporary artists from four major indigenous artistic traditions in India: the Gond and Warli communities of Central India, the Mithila region of Bihar, and the narrative scroll painters of West Bengal. Free admission.

India’s rise as an Asian power on the global scene has attracted the world’s attention and interest in Indian art and life. The paintings in Many Visions, Many Versions are deeply rooted in traditional culture yet are vitally responsive to the world at large. The curators have organized them into four categories: Myth and Cosmology, Nature—Real and Imagined, Village Life, and Contemporary Explorations.

You’ll see fantastical renderings of animals, nature, and deities in the brightly coloured and highly detailed paintings made by a subgroup of the Gond tribe, the Pardhans. They traditionally paint on mud walls and floors during weddings and festivals.

Warli art is distinct in its use of only red/brown and white pigments, and by its triangular or hourglass-shaped figures to depict humans and animals. The figures gain movement by subtle alterations to their alignments, angles, and shapes. Wall paintings in Warli homes reveal ritual icons, religious beliefs, harvests, livelihood, and human relationships.

Another group that has a vigorous wall painting tradition are the women in Mithila. Using vivid colours made from mineral pigments applied with simple bamboo and raw cotton brushes, the women create auspicious spaces for domestic rituals. Since the late 1990s, their themes have included powerful feminist critiques of patriarchy and gender inequality, as well as global events.

The narrative scroll painters of eastern India are known as Chitrakar, meaning “one who makes images.” They travel from village to village, recounting stories and legends in song while unrolling patuas (long vertical scrolls) and pointing to the corresponding depiction of the events. Their scrolls reference mythological and religious themes, sociopolitical topics, and world events.

Many Visions, Many Versions is curated by Drs. Aurogeeta Das and David Szanton with assistance from curating consultant Jeffrey Wechsler. The exhibition is organized by BINDU modern Gallery and is toured by International Arts & Artists, Washington, DC. The media sponsor is Red FM.

Artists: Anwar Chitrakar, Balu Jivya Mashe, Baua Devi, Bhajju Shyam, Bhuri Bai, Chano Devi, Gopal Saha, Jamuna Devi, Jangarh Singh Shyam, Japani Shyam, Jivya Soma Mashe, Kishore Sadashiv Mashe, Manisha Jha, Mayank Shyam, Montu Chitrakar, Rajendra Shyam, Ram Singh Urveti, Rani Jha, Santosh Kumar Das, Shanti Devi, Shivan Paswan, Sita Devi, Suresh Kumar Dhurve, Swarna Chitrakar, and Venkat Raman Singh Shyam

Curator’s Talk and Opening Reception

Saturday, January 20 | 6:30−9pm

Celebrate the opening of our winter exhibitions Many Visions, Many Versions: Art from Indigenous Communities in India and Canada, eh! Fraser Valley Quilters’ Guild. A talk about Many Visions, Many Versions with London-based co-curator Aurogeeta Das will start at 6:30pm; reception at 7:30pm.

Exhibition Tour

Saturday, February 24 | 2:30−4pm

Knowing anecdotes, inspirations, and thematic connections can make art come alive. Learn more about the artwork in Many Visions, Many Versions: Art from Indigenous Communities in India in an informal tour led by Surrey Art Gallery curator Jordan Strom.

Discussion Panel

Sunday, March 4 | 2:30−4pm

Writer, producer, and cultural curator Sirish Rao will talk about the artists and artworks in the Many Visions, Many Versions exhibition with Indu Vashist, Executive Director of the South Asian Visual Arts Centre Toronto, and Katherine Hacker, Assistant Professor of Art History at the University of British Columbia. This conversation will be moderated by Jordan Strom, Surrey Art Gallery Curator of Exhibitions and Collections. Presented with community partner Indian Summer Festival; media sponsor is Red FM.

Family Sunday

Sunday, March 18 | 11am−3pm

Drop in to create, explore, and enjoy art with friends and family! Engage in activities that respond to the exhibition Many Visions, Many Versions, including hands-on artmaking workshops in a range of mediums, an art explorer game in the Gallery, and an interactive performance in the Studio Theatre. Presented with community partner Indian Summer Festival; media sponsor is Red FM.