Veteran artist MF Husain may not be complaining about the exclusion of his works from the country’s first-ever art summit - India Art Summit 2008 - that began on Friday.
Draws flak from art aficionados for not showcasing MF Husain’s works
NEW DELHI: Veteran artist MF Husain may not be complaining about the exclusion of his works from the country’s first-ever art summit - India Art Summit 2008 - that began on Friday. But the rest of the world seems to have major reservations.
Organisers of the art summit, the first-ever platform showcasing the diverse range of the nation’s art industry, have received flak from art aficionados for not including Husain’s works.
Art lovers and certain organisations have claimed that the decision to exclude the 92-year-old painter’s works was taken “for security reasons and to avoid controversies” that Husain’s works inevitably kick up.
The latest addition to the list of critics is the Union ministry of culture. “Husain is one of the most prominent artists of the country but the absence of his works at the India Art Summit will not reflect the true art scenario of India,” stated a statement issued by the ministry.
A ministry spokesperson said that the exclusion of Husain’s works from the art summit
comes at a time when the culture ministry has invited noted artists, presently living under voluntary exile in Dubai, to become member of the National Culture Fund Council.
The ministry has said it would be “happy” if Husain’s paintings were displayed at the summit.
Husain had earlier told DNA that he was aware of the exclusion of his paintings in the summit and “understood the situation.”
“I know about it. The fact is there are cases in court against me. Even though I have got relief from some, the matter is still subjudice for me to talk about,” Husain had said.
While, Sunil Gautam, managing director, Hanmer and MS&L, the summit’s organisers, claimed that Husain’s statement was a “vindication” of the summit’s stand of not including his work, certain art lovers have not taken this too kindly.
“By not including Husain’s works in the summit, the organisers are bowing down to fundamentalists. Husain almost single-handedly placed Indian art on the international art scenario and his exclusion from such a summit is preposterous. The organisers could have sought police protection if they feared protests,” said Rajan, spokesperson of the NGO, Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust.
The three-day summit, which could catapult India to being a global hotspot for art, is supported by the culture ministry and renowned international auction house Sotheby’s.
y_puneet@dnaindia.net
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