The Hindu : New Delhi News : Letters produce works of art

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Letters produce works of art

Madhur Tankha

UNUSUAL: A canvas from Saba Hasan's painting exhibtion titled "Letters from Baton Rouge".

NEW DELHI: For her latest exhibition, artist Saba Hasan has woven together her personal letters and embellished them with various materials to produce works of art. Titled "Letters from Baton Rouge", the exhibition in mixed media on canvas opens at Shridharani Gallery in Triveni Kala Sangam here this Wednesday.

For her latest body of works, Saba has used letters written to her in Urdu by her mother from Baton Rouge in the United States in 2003, recounting family anecdotes and her experiences in America.

"Urdu here has evolved beyond the traditional category of calligraphy and has become a cultural symbol in Indian art. I have used various materials like plaster, soot, nails and rope to reinforce the elemental aspects in art. In the letters, my mother wrote accounts about my elders and also highlighted the political situation prevailing then in the U.S. These letters, though a personal account, bring authenticity into the frame," says Saba.

For her exhibition, the Delhi-based artist chose Urdu as she was familiar with the language and wanted it to be accepted as a modern Indian language. Moreover, she feels that Eastern artists need to assert themselves by showcasing their culture.

Besides presenting papers at universities in Britain, Switzerland and the United States, the artist has held many solo exhibitions in New Delhi, Mumbai and also in Pennsylvania and New York.

A creative person, Saba has conducted workshops for children in creativity and painting. Over two-dozen works of art will be displayed at the ten-day exhibition.

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