'Hundred and Fifty years of Mahatma Gandhi'  is the theme for the Indian pavilion at the Venice Biennale 2019. Responding to the overarching theme, Our Time for a Future Caring  is curated by the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, and commissioned by the National Gallery of Modern Art.  The India Pavilion will revisit through diverse art forms, the indelible memory of Mahatma Gandhi, his philosophical ideas, and the many facets of Gandhi that continue to inspire, provoke and challenge the public, intellectuals and artists alike. ‘Our Time for a Future Caring’ is both, a call for attentiveness and an invocation to shared futures. The exhibition weaves together artworks that either emphasize a historical moment, in direct collaboration or association with Gandhi or stage imaginary encounters that resonate contemporary critical thinking, creating an opportunity for a renewed search and investigation into received notions of agency, action, and freedom. The exhibition elucidates the premise that Gandhi’s presence is far from being fixed in time and space. His ideals are difficult to ignore in an increasingly violent and intolerant world.

Spearheaded by the Ministry of Culture, co-organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art is the principal partner and curator of the exhibition and the Director General, National Gallery of Modern Art the Commissioner to the project.

A steering committee and a curatorial committee has been formed for the organisation of the India’s participation. It will be the second pavilion of India at the Biennale, since 2011. With a sense of exhilaration and commitment NGMA, KNMA and CII have come together to showcase a significant selection of Indian modern and contemporary art on the world stage to an international audience. The artists names will be announced soon.

Shri Adwaita Chavan Gadanayak, Director General National Gallery of Modern Art, India & Commissioner, India Pavilion at Venice Biennale said, “I am extremely proud to present the India Pavilion at Venice Biennale. This participation is special as it is a commemoration of 150 years of Mahatma Gandhi who is revered in India as the Father of the Nation. Haripura Panels created by artist Nandalal Bose at the behest of Mahatma Gandhi shall be on display at the India Pavilion. His works are among the national treasures from the collection of National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi."

Welcoming the opportunity Kiran Nadar, Founder and Chairperson, Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, said, “Disseminating and engaging with South Asian contemporary art on the global art map has been KNMA’s mandate. We have supported, sponsored, and curated international exhibitions of contemporary and modern artists since 2010. It is an honour to be the principal & curatorial partner for the India Pavilion, and represent some significant works by eminent Indian artists at the Venice Biennale."

Ms. Tarana Sawhney, Chairperson, CII taskforce on Art and Culture said, “The India Pavilion is an important milestone as it brings together for the first time, both the Ministry of Culture and private art institutions, to showcase contemporary art from our country to a world audience. It is projects like these that raise interest and change perceptions. The theme too is of utmost relevance in a world divided by volatility . The Mahatma always espoused peaceful means and this presentation will draw attention to that noble philosophy.”

The 58th International Art Exhibition opens on May 11 in Venice, Italy and continues till November 24, 2019.

6 March 2019

New Delhi