Each generation inherits and reinterprets their ethnic, socio-economic and cultural traditions. Telling their stories through their talents, and reinterpreting folklore a collection of artists hailing from India and living in the United States explores past traditions in their work as a point of departure as they embrace and reinterpret an India that is more modern than ever.Although, in search of common origins and a reinterpretation of an Indian
vision living in the west, the exhibition Erasing Borders brings together
a broad and at times disconnected group of artists. Some of the artists
pursue abstraction but get hung up on the spiritual sentimental aspects
of the sublime by co-opting painterly language which seems forced. Those
issues aside there are a few quirky and quietly astonishing visual moments
to be found. For instance Anna Bhushan's episodic water colors tap into
the tradition of Indian Miniature painting and mythology while also personal,
open and accessible to the broader global culture. Her work is reminiscent
of Amy Sillman's playful narrative semi-abstractions but Bhushan's work
is more deliberate in its mythological roots and illustrative sensibility.
This same sense of delight in folkloric images appears in Vijay Kumar's
black and white etching of an extended arm and finger holding a small
horse. The image is reminiscent of Ben Shan or Jose Bedia's prophetic
drawings. Siona Benjamin's playful work "Finding Home #30" merges
western pop cultural fragments with Indian symbols, the effect feels awkward
and forced, and there is a humor to them which relies on tired clichés.
Two photographs by Yamini Nayar stand out in this small exhibition. The
simple composition, and wonderful color contrasts are worth seeing more
of. This last point reveals the short coming of the curatorial decisions
in this exhibition. While some as I've mentioned stand out the over all
exhibition would have gone further if there were more examples of these
stronger artists and an omission of some others. By Andrew Cornell Robinson Exhibition InformationErasing Borders: Indian Artists in the American Diaspora |
 Anna Bhushan's "The Mother of Difficulties, the Perception of Difficulties" 2006 Watercolor And additional works below   |
Written for the