Devika Monga of Saffronart on Pratham UK and Saffronart’s third fundraising collaboration, ARTiculate 2012

London: We kick started October by hosting a preview for ARTiculate 2012, a collaborative venture to raise funds for Pratham’s literacy programs in India, in our London gallery. Pratham, which means ‘first’ in Hindi, was founded in Mumbai by UNICEF in 1994 to address the issue of illiteracy amongst India’s children.

S.H. Raza, Pulvari, Acrylic on canvas pasted on paper, 2005, 10 x 3.5 in

A non-governmental organization, Pratham brings together village communities, governmental agencies, corporate sponsors and young volunteers to promote literacy and vocational training and to eradicate child labour. Through its ‘Read India Program’, Pratham has managed to change the lives of over 35 million children in India. Pratham UK, which was launched to focus on fundraising in the country, hosts ARTiculate each year along with Saffronart as part of this effort.

This edition of ARTiculate, curated by Smriti Rajgarhia, is titled ‘Into the Looking Glass’ and aspires to engage viewers in a ‘philosophical dialogue’ with the art on display.

T. Vaikuntam, Untitled, Acrylic on canvas, 35 x 23 in

It features an array of artworks by the best of both modern and contemporary Indian artists. The show includes works like Thota Vaikuntam’s painting of a Telangana group in rich colours celebrating the culture of South India, and Krishen Khanna’s canvas depicting a bandwallah or musician. S.H. Raza’s work ‘Phulvari’ represents the artist’s celebration of nature and its elements, particularly water, and Satish Gujral’s popular ‘man and horse’ pairing addresses themes of captivity and freedom.

In the contemporary section, some of the artworks include a print of high rise buildings by Pooja Iranna, a pair of psychedelic works by Ketna Patel offering a tongue-in-cheek take on the street culture of India, and Farhad Hussain’s Dance of Consumption, portraying human and animal figurines in vibrant colours and many more.

K. Patel, a) I am a goddess b) Pipe Dreams, Screen Prints on Acrylic, 2012, 39.5 x 39.5 in

ARTiculate sets to both commemorate Indian art and culture and contribute to a noble cause. This year’s exhibition offers works by some of the best known Indian artists, and is an absolute treat for young collectors and philanthropists.

P. Iranna, Untitled, Digital Print on Archival Paper, 54 x 71.5 in

The preview, which was held on Tuesday at our gallery in London, was very lively and eventful. The works will also be displayed at the Pratham Gala, which is the highlight of their annual calendar and attended by some the United Kingdom’s most well known personalities and leading figures from various fields.

The works will be on display at our London gallery till this weekend, so come and pay us a visit, and support Pratham and their wonderful cause.