Get ready all you art-loving Londoners, because the Barbican is currently hosting a major exhibition that’s a landmark event in the capital’s cultural calendar. Entitled The Imaginary Institution of India: Art 1875-1998this exhibit is a must-see for anyone fascinated by the intersection of art and history.
The exhibition spotlights over 30 Indian artists who have captured the tumultuous changes of India at the time, with works covering themes like urbanisation, community, gender, sexuality, and beyond.
Curated by Shanay Jhaveru, expect the exhibit to frame a particularly intense period in India’s historymarked by the declaration of a state of emergency in 1975 (when the Prime Minister announced internal and external threats on India), and the country’s notorious nuclear tests in 1998.
These pivotal events are reflected in the range of media on display–from vivid paintings to moving sculptures, photography, and even multi-media installations. It is truly a treat for all the senses, all while you gain significant insight on this fascinating slice of history.
Some of the must-see pieces, in our opinion, include Sunil Gupta’s Exiles series, which beautifully captures the lives of gay men in New Delhi, or Meera Mukhejee’s intricate bronzes that speak to both her sacred community, as well as everyday life.
However, the Barbican isn’t stopping there. The exhibition will also run alongside a curated film season titled Rewriting the Rules, offering a fresh look at pioneering Indian cinema from the 1970s onwards. Plus, there will be a special evening of experimental film curated by She Heredia, so, whether you’re deep into contemporary arts or Indian films, this is definitely a cross-arts celebration you don’t want to miss.
You also don’t want to miss the Barbican’s special weekend that will grant you free entry to this landmark exhibition on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 October. Coinciding with the widely-celebrated Darbar Festival of Indian classical music (which starts on the 24th), visitors can enjoy Indian arts and culture from across the Barbican’s diverse programme on the eve of the Hindu Festival of Lights, Diwali, and the Sikh celebration Bandi Chor Divas.
The Imaginary Institution of India: Art 1875-1998 will be on display at the Barbican Centre from October 5 until January 5, 2024. Entry to the exhibition will set you back £20, and tickets can be booked directly through the Barbican’s website. For more information and tickets, click here.
