By IEA CORRESPONDENT

In their efforts to democratise Art, RMZ Foundation proudly celebrates its commitment to promoting artistic talent in India and democratizing art for the public by supporting acclaimed Indian artist Suhasini Kejriwal, who has been selected for the prestigious Frieze Sculpture 2023.

Her remarkable series, 'Garden of Un-Earthly Delights,' featuring intricately painted bronze sculptures, is now on display at Frieze Sculpture Park in Regent's Park, London, from September 20th to October 29th, 2023. In partnership with Nature Morte, RMZ Foundation is proud to add this sculpture from the inspiring and timely series to the Foundation’s collection.

Speaking to Informer East Africa Chief Editor Julius Mbaluto, Akash Philip from RMZ Foundation said that their key drive was to bring art and make it more it more accessible to communities.

 Informer East Africa Chief Editor Julius Mbaluto with Akash Philip of RMZ Foundation 

"We are bringing together indian and global art and keeping it in the public spaces to popularize it and democratise it.  For along time art has not been made accessible but we are trying to inspire people and make art more accessible."

Frieze Sculpture, the renowned free public art exhibition, coincides with the art fairs Frieze London and Frieze Masters, taking place from October 11th to 15th, 2023. This year, Frieze Sculpture is led by independent curator and writer Fatoş Üstek, and features 21 leading international artists, with their works thoughtfully placed throughout the historic English Gardens of The Regent’s Park. 

RMZ Foundation has consistently taken the lead in curating and commissioning some of the largest installations in India including sculptures, murals, and paintings. Under the leadership of Anu Menda, Founder and Managing Trustee of the RMZ Foundation, the organization embarked on a mission to democratize art by creating a broader audience for emerging artists, with a focus on promoting the artistic creations of artists. 

The Foundation's dedication to empowering women in the arts is evident through its inclusion in its carefully curated collection. These include artists such as Shilpa Gupta, Shaikha Al Mazrou and Mouna Rebeiz, whose work reminds us that art has the power to connect us to our roots and shared humanity. 

Furthermore, the Foundation's commitment to the arts spotlights the contributions of over 55 commissioned art installations by iconic, globally recognized artists within its portfolio, including Elias Sime, Oliver Beer, and Patrick Goddard. These sculptures are placed across RMZ's flagship properties in Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad, making the works accessible to a wider audience. 

Anu Menda, Managing Trustee of RMZ Foundation, expressed her perspective on this collaboration and states,

"Art plays a crucial role in preserving our cultural identity that shapes the artistic landscape of our subcontinent in a rapidly evolving modern world. This partnership is a significant step towards democratizing art and empowering women artists. Suhasini Kejriwal's 'Garden of Un-earthly Delights' is a testament to the boundless creativity of artists, seamlessly blending the familiar with the extraordinary.” 

Celebrated and acknowledged for its dedication, RMZ Foundation is proud to support leading Indian artist Suhasini Kejriwal and her inspiring work, 'Garden of Un-earthly Delights’ that has recently been added to the Foundation’s collection. 

On her creative process, Artist Suhasini Kejriwal shared her thoughts and states:

"The support from RMZ Foundation and this opportunity to showcase my work at a platform such as Frieze Sculpture enables a wider reach for my work. I aim to bridge the chasm between the harshness of reality and the realm of the imaginary – blending the every day and the fantastic. Nature and the human form are never merely subjects of science or fine art; they are integral components that make up the tapestry of our society.

Aparajita Jain, Director, Nature Morte added,

“We are thrilled that the RMZ Foundation is acquiring Suhasini Kejriwal’s iconic work, Garden of Un-Earthly Delights into its collection. RMZ Foundation is an emerging light in arts philanthropy with an ever-growing and impressive collection of important works by female artists. We are glad to be working in partnership with them to democratize art for the larger Indian audiences." 

RMZF, founded in 2015, is a non-governmental organization with a mission to empower society, democratize art, and address social and economic challenges through innovation and sustainability. It aligns with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and focuses on initiatives like affordable housing, clean energy, regenerative architecture, and responsible sourcing to reduce its carbon footprint. RMZF is committed to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices and aims to create a carbon-neutral real asset portfolio. 

RMZF's art initiative promotes cultural expression and community building through visual arts. It provides a platform for artists to showcase their work, fostering enriching experiences for art enthusiasts in the communities it serves. The Foundation recognizes art as a catalyst for creativity and cultural reshaping, contributing to the well-being of all people while prioritizing sustainability. This initiative aims to broaden the horizons of visual arts and create a positive impact in collaborating communities.

Suhasini Kejriwal, an artist based in Kolkata, holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from New York's Parsons School of Design and a Master of Fine Arts degree from London's Goldsmiths College. Her art seamlessly and deftly blends painting, drawing, photography, and collage, creating kaleidoscopic and psychedelic compositions suffused with intricate details and multiple perspectives. They transport viewers beyond the confines of reality, into an enchanting, borderless dreamscape where all things are possible. It's an artistic journey that pulsates with an enduring fascination for the natural world and the human form, recalling iconic works that bridge chasms between the ordinary and fantastical. 

Kejriwal has showcased her art in solo exhibitions at renowned venues including Gallery SKE in Bangalore, Nature Morte in New Delhi, and Galerie Christian Hosp in Berlin, among others, and has also participated in numerous global group exhibitions. Beyond her art, Kejriwal has contributed to fostering artist-community dialogues through her fellowship with Hamdasti and her role as a visiting fellow at Harvard University's South Asia Institute in 2020.