Contemporary and cultural: Peru's truth

Like India, the ancient art and culture of South American country Peru is worth exploring. Recently, a three-day long art exhibition titled ‘Peru’s contemporary art’ was organized at the NIFA art gallery in the capital from November 17-19. The show highlighted the works of 19 Peruvian artists from Escuela Nacional Superior Autónoma de Bellas Artes Del Perú (ENSABAP), a leading institution in the training of artists and professionals in the fields of culture, art and education from Peru. The Ambassador of Peru to India H.E Mr. Jorge Juan Castaneda Mendez inaugurated the show and congratulated the curator Renu Khera, MD of NIFA Art Gallery, for promoting the talent of Peru in India through this cultural exchange.

The artworks from Lima were a selection of paintings that showcased the vivid culture, art, and craft of the nation. The 19 different works by different artists were displayed in various mediums like serigraphy, calligraphy, acrylic on canvas, oil on canvas, ink on paper and embroidery work. Speaking about the Indo-Peruvian art association, the curator of the show, Renu mentions, “This is the second exhibition of paintings done by artists from Peru’s Autonomous Superior National School of Fine Arts. It is an esteemed organization that has produced several great artists, and we were happy to showcase it for our students and guests at the gallery. The Embassy of Peru in collaboration with the Indo-Peruvian friendship association constantly organises several exhibitions that showcase the textiles, traditional dresses, photographs and paintings from their country. While selecting the artworks for India, we looked at the academic and aesthetic creations that were not only superb and but also meaningful. We showcas
ed works that did not disturb any sentiments, culture, religion, faith, and belief of our country. Not just art students, but the response from local artists was also amazing and they loved it.”

The paintings at this exhibition were made by the teachers of Autonomous Superior National School of Fine Arts, Peru as part of the centenary celebration of the school in 2018. The common theme in all these paintings was the vibrant history and culture of Peru. “The best way to learn about a society is through its culture, behaviour, languages, beliefs, and art that brings us closer to the understanding of geographically distant people. Although the prodigious evolution of the media gives us access to almost any part of the planet from our homes but the artistic experience is irreplaceable. The colours and the motifs used in these paintings are derived by the artists from their everyday surroundings, historical references around Peru or from their personal inspiration,” adds Renu.

The South American nation that was the highlight of the show is home to some of the most primitive archaeological sites like the Amazon rainforest, Machu Picchu (an ancient Incan city high in the Andes mountains), Sacred Valley, Inca Trail and colonial city of Cusco – and one could see the references from pre-Columbian art and mythological figurines that inspired the artworks. To emphasis between the art aesthetics of the two nations, Renu draws out a comparison and elaborates, “India and Peru are countries known for their ancient civilizations and have housed throughout their territory and history, sophisticated cultures which act as a legacy.  Moreover, the thought process of both the countries is natural and spiritual in nature. These days both the countries are trying to harmonize their extraordinary cultural richness with the unstoppable advancement of occidental modernity. The fact that diversity, in this context, is synonymous with the power is an amazing idea. The course of world history has shown us that art and culture determine the impressions that every person on earth leaves as a legacy to future generations. And so, it is the artists who carry on their shoulders the mission of sharing with the world the best that each nation can offer.”