The Written Canvas: ‘Letters to Keshav Malik from artists and thinkers’

Art Konsult has opened a new exhibition called The Written Canvas: Letters to Keshav Malik from Artists and Thinkers to mark the birth centenary of Keshav Malik, a well-known art critic, poet, and Padma Shri awardee. The exhibition began on November 4, 2024, at the Annexe Art Gallery in the India International Centre and was inaugurated by Dr Karan Singh, a former Member of the Rajya Sabha.

The exhibition features a collection of personal letters from notable figures in Indian art and literature, including Balraj Sahni, Bejan Daruwalla, and Nissim Ezekiel. These letters showcase Malik’s significant influence on the art community and highlight the connections he formed with various artists and thinkers. Usha Malik, Keshav Malik’s wife, noted that personal letters provide a window into the social and cultural history of their time.

Keshav Malik was known for his ability to inspire creativity through his writings and relationships in the art world. Siddhartha Tagore pointed out that Malik’s critiques blended Indian traditions with global art movements, establishing him as an important voice in Indian art criticism.

The Written Canvas aims to revive the art of letter-writing in an age dominated by digital communication. The exhibition includes both handwritten and typed letters, offering a glimpse into the thoughts and feelings of artists during Malik’s lifetime. The letters reveal not just exchanges but also deeper emotions, capturing the essence of relationships through words.

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Gaurav Kumar explained that the letters displayed in the exhibition highlight the depth of human connection and the power of written words to create lasting bonds.

The exhibition is open to the public until November 9, daily from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM at the Annexe Art Gallery, India International Centre.

When: Until November 9; 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Where: Annexe Art Gallery, India International Centre, New Delhi