Indian Art Week 2015 returns to London

Indian Art Week returns to London for a second year with an incredible line-up of exhibitions and events that truly celebrate the emerging creative talents of South Asia.

Running between 6th and 13th June, 2015, Indian Art Week is founded by Arts For India, a UK based charity which aims to raise awareness of Indian Art abroad.

Built on a rich cultural heritage, India’s tendency for creative expression is second to none, and is something which is continually admired in the West.

While Arts For India hopes to bridge the gap between Western understandings of the East, it also offers a vital platform for underprivileged artists to study at the prestigious IIFA Institute of Fine Art in Modinagar, India.

Joining in the celebration of these young and emerging artists, DESIblitz are proud online media partners for the upcoming London 2015 Indian Art Week.

Commenting on the partnership, Erica Emm, Indian Art Week Producer, says: “Working with DESIblitz as our official online Media partner this year means we are getting great exposure and attracting top names from the art, fashion and cinema world.”

Managing Director of DESIblitz, Indi Deol, adds:

“DESIblitz has a longstanding commitment to artistic endeavours and cultural discovery. We are delighted to be the online media partner for Indian Art Week this year.”

Over the course of eight days, Indian Art Week will welcome auction houses, museums, art dealers, galleries, hotels and private collectors to view a plethora of Eastern artistic masterpieces.

Erica explains: “This is a week full of events not to miss. We are very excited to not only be celebrating successful Indian artists but to also be platforming new up and coming artists through our charity sponsorship programme.”

Highlights of Indian Art Week between 6th and 13th June, 2015, include:

PRASHANT JHA JOINS DEBUT ART INCUBATOR ~ SATURDAY 6TH JUNE | 1:00 PM | DEBUT CONTEMPORARY

Young Indian artist Prashant Jha will see his debut exhibition at Debut Contemporary, entitled ‘Sexual Identity’.

Prashant is one of the first young students from Modinagar’s IIFA Institute to have been sponsored to come to the UK. He will begin his Art Incubation year under the wings of Samir Ceric at Debut Contemporary.

OPEN GALLERIES ~ SUNDAY 7TH JUNE | 1:00 PM | KNIGHTSBRIDGE, MAYFAIR

Raising the awareness of the diversity of Indian Art in London, Indian Art Week have planned special trips to some of the top galleries and auction houses in West London.

The Open Galleries tour will include the following special viewings:

• 13:00 V&A tour with Ritu Ghulati of the Nehru gallery;
• 14:00 Francesca Galloway viewing;
• 15:00 ForgeLynch viewing;
• 16:00 Christie’s tour of Arts of India and South Asian Modern + Contemporary Art sales, part of Indian Art London at Christie’s.

STELLAR INTERNATIONAL ART FOUNDATION ~ MONDAY 8TH JUNE | 4:30 PM | SHAPERO RARE BOOKS 32 ST. GEORGE STREET, MAYFAIR

Highlighting one of the most famous and prominent South Asian artists, the Stellar International Art Foundation will showcase ‘MF Husain: The Journey of a Legend’.

This non-selling exhibition is one of the largest outside the late artist’s estate. With 250 works over three floors of Shapero Rare Books’ Mayfair establishment, visitors can witness the artist’s UK works including a first publication and a history of his relationship with the famous Choudhrie Family.

AN EVENING WITH THE ARTISTS ~ TUESDAY 9TH JUNE | 6:30 PM | THE COURTYARD, ST. JAMES’ COURT, A TAJ HOTEL, LONDON SW1E 6AF

This live auction hosted by Farokh Engineer will see guests have the chance to mingle with eight established and new generation artists in London, and enjoy performances and speeches alongside famous agents and buyers.

The artists will showcase their works, which will then be auctioned with proceeds from each painting going towards the Arts For India charity.

NH10 BOLLYWOOD FILM PREMIERE ~ WEDNESDAY 10TH JUNE | 6:00 PM | NEHRU CENTRE, 8 AUDLEY ST, MAYFAIR

Already a huge success in India, Eros International will premiere the critically acclaimed film NH10 in the UK. Starring talented Indian actress Anushka Sharma with Neil Bhoopalam, the film is directed by Navdeep Singh.

The special screening will take place at the Nehru Centre and will include a pre-screening drinks party with champagne.

JAMIL NAQSH OPENING AT ALBEMARLE ~ THURSDAY 11TH JUNE | ALBEMARLE GALLERY

The Albemarle Gallery will open ‘The Muse, Messengers & Miniatures’ by renowned Pakistani contemporary artist, Jamil Naqsh.

Born in Uttar Pradesh in 1938 before moving later to Pakistan, Jamil’s work hones in on the rich culture of Pakistan and the Indian Subcontinent. He merges traditional Mughal paintings and architecture with Western Modernism to stunning effect.

BLAIN|SOUTHERN ~ FRIDAY 12TH JUNE | 6:00 PM | BLAIN|SOUTHERN

Blain Southern will exhibit a breathtaking new collection by Francesco Clemente called ‘Emblems of Transformation’.

Utilising watercolours as his dominant medium, Clemente explores his love of India through a rich showcase of colours and patterns. Guests can also expect a presentation and performance.

ARTS FOR INDIA AWARDS GALA ~ SATURDAY 13TH JUNE | 6:30 PM | MAYFAIR HOTEL, MAYFAIR

Ending the week will be a glitzy awards and fundraiser dinner in Mayfair which includes a charity auction. Hosting the evening will be Sofia Hayat, with awards given to some of the biggest stars and talents of Indian Art, Fashion, and Cinema.

Famous guests and winners include Sabyasachi Mukherji, renowned Indian fashion designer; Oriano Galloni, famous for his Silent Soul sculptures; and Ashok Amritraj, award-winning film producer and CEO and Chairman of Hyde Park entertainment Group.

All proceeds raised during the night will go towards sponsoring more students through Arts For India.

With so many exciting events to look forward, Indian Art Week London 2015 is already ‘creating quite a buzz’, and Indian Art Week Producer, Erica Emm is hopeful that it will be just as successful as last year.

For more details about events, tickets and bookings, please visit the Indian Art Week website.