Organised by The Art Route, the exhibition titled ‘Confluence – Celebrating India- Bangladesh Printmaking’ aims to foster an environment that promotes a deeper dialogue about printmaking

PRINTMAKING, HAS survived the test of time. It has evolved through many cultural and technological changes over the years. An ongoing exhibition in the city aims to promote artists of these art forms and help them achieve the recognition they deserve.

Titled, ‘Confluence – Celebrating India- Bangladesh Printmaking’, it exhibits works of 24 contemporary artists from India and Bangladesh who established a niche of their own with their exceptional virtuosity and commitment to the medium. Organised by The Art Route, the exhibition tries to foster an environment that promotes a deeper dialogue about printmaking.

“It has always been our endeavor at The Art Route, to promote art forms which deserve a broader platform of recognition. Confluence was born out of this mission to create something more collectively for printmaking, to promote a deeper appreciation amongst the collectors, to extend its scope and to reach out to more people at the same time,” says Lubna Sen, co-curator and organiser of Confluence.

Another main objective of the exhibition is to educate and inform connoisseurs and the public in general about printmaking. The term ‘print’ leaves limited understanding for a generation, which is mostly used to the concept of digital prints. The team hopes to educate art collectors about the merit of buying prints as an accessible way to start a collection of mature and talented artists.

“True to the word ‘confluence’, which is a place where two rivers meet, this exhibition will have a fine selection of 12 artists, each from India and Bangladesh who will present a confluence of body, mind, and souls. Art, culture, and sports are the three major wings of a great flight between any two borders and our ‘confluence’ of the show of prints will certainly open up a pragmatic and broad perspective,” explains artist Ananda Moy Banerji whose works are on display.

The artworks showcased in the exhibition includes various techniques of printmaking – intaglio, relief, serigraphy, mix media and will also stretch the traditional boundaries of printmaking into the realm of further experimentation.

There is a display of portfolio prints, exhibition of prints and printmaking, exhibition of history of printmaking in India. Along with these the participants is also organising curated walks of the show, workshops on printmaking, documents/research and slide talks on printmaking by seminars and senior practitioners on their art practices.

At the end of the festival, the team hopes to generate appropriate value to the fine art of printmaking through a framework of experimentation, promotion, and patronage.

The exhibition is on display at India Habitat Centre till January 31