Exhibition ‘Stefan Norblin (1892-1952): A Master of many Arts’ begins in New Delhi

The Union Minister for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Culture, Kum. Selja and the Minister for Culture & National Heritage of Republic of Poland, Mr. Bogdan Zdrojewski going round the exhibition “Stefan Norblin (1892-1952): A Master of Many Arts”, in New Delhi on November 02, 2011. The Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Shri Jawhar Sircar is also seen. PIB Photo

Kumari Selja, Minister for Culture and Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and Mr. Bogdan Zdrojewski, Minister of Culture and National Heritage, Republic of Poland today jointly inaugurated the exhibition “Stefan Norblin (1892-1952): A Master of Many Arts” at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA). Shri Jawhar Sircar, Secretary Culture, was the Guest of Honour on the occasion.

Dedicated to the famous Polish artist of the 20th century, Stefan Norblin; the exhibition lays special emphasis on his life and work in India (1941-46) while also bringing together his works from Poland and USA. These include portraits of Poland’s pre-war elite, art déco posters, book covers, illustrations and designs for theatrical costumes.

The 60 curated works demonstrate the versatility of Norblin and his diverse output. The artist whose fascinating life took him to three continents, in a sense became a global and universal artist at a time when the boundaries of the world were changing. Presented in three distinct parts are a broad range of styles, subject matter, and techniques that weaves the artist’s biography and his activities.

During his stay in India he received patronage from royalties and was granted large commissions from several of India's Maharajas of the time. It was however in Jodhpur where Norblin received his most significant commission in India, to design the interiors and paint murals for the Umaid Bhawan Palace, a massive Art Dèco conceptualization built by Maharaja Umaid Singh. These have been restored and some of them form part of the current exhibition. Norblin in India developed a new style inspired by Hindu mythology and elements previously unknown to him including characteristics from Indian art that permeated his pre existing European Art Dèco sensibilities and infused them to form a unique amalgam. Norblin’s Indian productions are of special significance on a global scale, where Europe meets Asia on a cultural platform giving testimony to cooperation beyond all barriers.

Norblins first and only exhibition in India was held at the Sir Cowasji Jehangir Hall, which is now the National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai. Hence, it is only fitting that one of the most intriguing artists of the wartime generation be celebrated at the same institution first at New Delhi and later this year at Mumbai.

This exhibition is a result of the cultural agreements between the two governments of India and Poland. The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, Poland have played a pivotal role in the implementation of this exhibition, with immense support from the Embassy of India in Poland and the Embassy of Poland in India. The exhibition has been curated by Ms. Anna Szlązak, Poland and the Indian curator of the exhibition has been Mr. Karni Singh Jasol, Director, Umaid Bhawan Palace museum.

The NGMA will be screening for the first time ever the film ‘Chitraanjali: Stefan Norblin in India’ produced jointly by The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in India and the National Audio Video Institute of Poland, directed by Madam Malgorzata Skiba in conjunction with the exhibition.---PIB