Beyond the Page: South Asian Miniature Painting and Britain, 1600 to Now
7 October 2023 – 28 January 2024
Including exquisite historic works drawn from major collections including the Royal Collection, Tate, The Ashmolean Museum and National Museums Scotland, many of which can rarely be displayed due to their fragility, Beyond the Page will explore how the traditions of South Asian miniature paintings have been reclaimed and reinvented by modern and contemporary artists.
Gory battle scenes, intimate love affairs, spiritual parables or exquisite depictions of the natural world, this exhibition presents an overview of South Asian miniature painting since the 16th century. The exhibition features over 170 historic, modern and contemporary works by artists from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, Netherlands, UK and USA.
South Asian miniature painting often assimilated global cultural influences from Persia and Europe but continues to be defined by qualities such as intricate craftsmanship, intimate scale and intense narrative. Beyond the Page focuses on Britain’s role in the development of this tradition and explores how it has been reclaimed and reinvented as artists, since the 20th century, have taken it beyond the pages of illuminated manuscripts to experimental forms that include installations, sculpture and film.
The exhibition is curated by Hammad Nasar and Anthony Spira with advice from Emily Hannam, and will be accompanied by a new catalogue.
The exhibition is organised by MK Gallery in partnership with The Box, Plymouth.
We are grateful for generous support from The Bagri Foundation, The Australia Council, and the Circle of Friends, chaired by Tarana Sawhney.
The exhibition has been made possible as a result of the Government Indemnity Scheme. MK Gallery would like to thank HM Government for providing Government Indemnity and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and Arts Council England for arranging the indemnity.
