Bazgasht, which means echo or the likeness of something that repeats itself in Persian, is the AGM’s latest exhibition. Fluently reviving miniature paintings from South Asia, curators Ali Adil Khan and Asma Arshad Mahmood were beaming with pride amid artwork dating back as far as the seventeenth century.
“What we’ve done here is handpicked 51 paintings from all over the world,” explains Khan, who describes the miniature painting style as a practice where artists make brushes out of squirrel tail hairs, use opaque mineral pigments, and paint on wasli (layers of paper bound together with glue).
“Perfection and detail are the hallmarks of miniature painting. What we want to do is share the tradition – there’s a huge revival of miniatures taking place right now. Contemporary artists are learning the technique and applying subjects like issues related to the wa
rs in Iraq, terrorism, homophobia in South Asia and feminism,” says Khan.
And clearly, last night’s full house experienced the essence of miniature painting. “It’s really good to see some of the art from as far as the 1600s,” said show attendee Sukhwant Thethi, who was taking a closer peek at Nawab Sir Nisar Ali Khan Qizilbash, a six-inch intricate painting of a young boy in a garden, circa 1909.
Other notable paintings included Portrait of a Lady by Pakistan’s Ayesha Durrani, which highlighted the lack of respect for the female mind, as well as Cole Swanson’s Exaltation (Two Squirrels and a Junkie).
“This is the first of a new body of miniature paintings I’m working on,” reveals Toronto-based Swanson, who’s also a curator at the Living Arts Centre. “I’ve taken an old painting of an emperor and replaced it with myself to show how self-absorbed artists can be.”
Bazgasht is on display at the AGM until July 12. Admission is free. The AGM is located at 300 City Centre Drive. For more information, click
HERE. TELUS Mosaic 2009 outdoor festival opens on June 19th at the Civic Square at 300 City Centre Drive Mississauga. This years festival will start with screening of “Singh is King” on the largest outdoor screen ever used in Mississauga for such purpose. The festival includes headliners such as RDB & Nindi Kaur in their first ever full band performance in GTA, SWAMI from UK in the maiden Canadian full band performance and Kathak dance duo from India.
This years festival will also include Carnival and Midway Rides, Saturday night firework show, 12 food vendor
s and 16 rock bands at “Rock the Coliseum”. South Asian Film Festival by FILMI will showcase free movies at Mississauga Central Library during 17th, 18th and 19th of June.
Mosaic is a completely free festival, open to all, and free parking is available. Click HERE for more information and also to enter your name for a gate prize of Return Air Ticket to India.
