By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, Jan. 18: An exhibition of art installations and paintings inspired by the Tibetan struggle concluded on Sunday at the Jahangir Art Gallery, Mumbai.
The art works by noted Indian artist Francis Kodankandath opened on January 11, 2016. Titled “Tibet Dreams,” the colorful and vibrant work of art was enthused by the Tibetan culture and way of life, says Eswar Anandan, Poet and Friends of Tibet Campaigner, who curated the show. “These art installations are done on 30 different Tibetan cloth artifacts collected over a period of time, representing the Tibetan culture from the three regions U-Tsang, Kham and Amdo. The dreams and aspirations of the Tibetan people are captured in the paintings and drawings done on these artifacts.”
For Francis Kodankandath, it is not the first time that his works were inspired by Tibet. In November 2012, His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited his ‘Art of Happiness’ art show organized by Friends of Tibet in Kerala. As part of the World Tibet Day 2015, Francis had dedicated and exhibited a painting depicting the outlawed Tibetan National Flag and honoring His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his 80th Birthday.
Speaking to Phayul, Kodankandath said, “The exhibition is wholly inspired by the Tibetan people and their struggle for political triumph. Some of the materials and artifacts in my work have also been given to me by Tibetans all over India. The awareness thus gathered by the effort symbolizes my solidarity towards Tibet.”
He added that his involvement to create more awareness about Tibet will continue. His exhibition is touring various cities of India including Hyderabad, Kolkata, Trivandrum and Delhi with final showcase in Dharamshala at the end of 2016.
Among his many laurels, Francis Kodankandath has won the ‘Works on Paper’ category at the Florence Biennale 2015, Italy, besides the 2003–2004 National Academy Award and the 1993 Kerala Lalit Kala Academy Award.
