KOLKATA: Indian Museum is all set to host an exhibition of paintings by Chinese Buddhist monk Dachan from August 17 to 27. The exhibition curated by French art curator Astrid Narguet is currently touring the world. From Kolkata, the exhibition will fly to Sao Paulo, Brazil Narguet has been curating the exhibition since 2016, when she came across it at Rome, her current home. “I was requested to curate the exhibition by a Chinese friend. I did not know anything about monk Dachan. But I saw his paintings, a set of pictographs, and was fascinated by them. There is something beyond those strokes of paint brushes,” said Narguet.Narguet hopes that this exhibition will open up a new vista for artistic exchange between two nations of great art. “I am used to European art. A closer look at Chinese art was quite an eye-opener. Indian art is equally fascinating. I don’t understand why India and China don’t engage in serious exchange of art and artistry. Both countries will benefit immensely,” she said.“The exhibition will have Dachan’s works from the last 10 years — colour paintings, lotus ink wash paintings, figure paintings and calligraphy. It will be complemented by a video to immerse visitors in the world of Buddhism through art, emphasized by the majestic Indian Museum that houses objects pertaining to all aspects of Buddhist iconography,” said Narguet.According to Narguet, monk Dachan thinks that art is the best expression of culture and an important and indispensable form of life. “Dachan drew inspiration from China’s ancient history, culture and art. The whole process is by no means a modern and simple understanding of existence,” she added.The French curator further added: “With pre-eminent creativity, Dachan presents the quintessence of traditional ink wash paintings in a contemporary manner. He organically integrates the inner spirit of Chinese modern art with a Zen sensibility. He uses ink wash methods rooted in Chinese culture to summarize the changelessness of life and rekindles our understanding of nature and life.”The exhibition will not be launched in a grand way due to the demise of India’s former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee . “The exhibition will be thrown open on Friday. But, we cancelled the formal inauguration as the nation is mourning,” said Indian Museum director Rajesh Purohit.“The monk’s expressive art seems traditional yet innovative. It points out the essence of subject and becomes evocative, allowing us to feel the vitality and Qi (believed to be a vital force forming part of any living entity in Chinese philosophy),” said Narguet.

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