The Hindu : New Delhi News : Amazing synthesis of art, poetry

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 17, 2007
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New Delhi

New Delhi

Amazing synthesis of art, poetry

Parul Sharma

Jamia receives 33 gifts from Ameena Ahmad Ahuja

A RANGE OF STYLES: One of the paintings now on view at Jamia Millia Islamia

NEW DELHI: Jamia Millia Islamia has received a rather unusual gift from eminent artist Ameena Ahmad Ahuja who has donated 33 of her paintings to the university.

These paintings, all black-and-white calligraphies of ink on paper, are being showcased at Jamia Archives Gallery and will be on view up to May 23.

The show has been dedicated to the artist's late sister, Sameena Ahmad. Over the years Ameena's works have been exhibited widely in Russia, Japan, Venezuela, Columbia and New York.

Having studied art at the Slade School of Art, London University, Ameena's work blends a uniquely Oriental sensibility with a highly stylised Western training.

Her calligraphies of birds and animals reveal an amazing synthesis of art and poetry. She uses a range of calligraphic styles in her works.

A gifted artist, Ameena is a linguist and has taught Russian at Jawaharlal Nehru University here. She has worked as an "Artist in Residence" at Harvard and lectured on poetry at Columbia University. The exhibition is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and closed on weekends.

Apart from the paintings, Ameena has also pledged a sum of about Rs. 30 lakh to Jamia. Donated in memory of her late brother, the money would help young and needy girl students.

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