Exhibitions On Tour

New Language - New Work by Balraj Khanna

Balraj Khanna is one of the most distinguished artists working in England - Bryan Robertson. Known for his highly atmospheric paintings in which dream-like shapes inhabit a world uniquely their own, Khanna has extended his repertoire and given his new work - made specially for this exhibition - a three dimensional look. Arranged on different levels, these sculptural forms are inter-related and can be put back together as in a big jigsaw puzzle. Painted all-white or in brilliant colours, they leap to life dramatically when lit, creating a new personal language.

Cartwright Hall Art Gallery is delighted to host New Language, a long-awaited exhibition of new works by Balraj Khanna, critically acclaimed Indian-born artist, curator and writer. He has exhibited extensively in the UK and abroad over the past forty years in private and public galleries, including Richard Demarco Gallery, Serpentine Gallery, Royal Festival Hall, Hayward Gallery, Arnolfini, Ashmolean Museum and a hugely successful exhibition at Fosterart in 2004.

A self-taught artist, Balraj Khanna, over this period, has developed his own unique visual language taking inspiration from nature, spirituality and concept of creation. He is known for his highly atmospheric paintings in which dream-like shapes inhabit a world uniquely their own. By dismissing conventional concepts of space Khanna has linked the three life planes; air, earth and under water to demonstrate the interdependence of nature in a cosmic universe. Khanna combines his own personal forms such as the ladder, the bird, with an infinite myriad of universal forms including circles, crosses, triangles, human, animal and aquatic.

"His paintings are jewel-like; full of colour with strange clusters of not quite recognisable, carnivalesque objects floating in gravity defying space... There is something dizzying about them... Mostly his shapes are abstract, though there is a tendency to try and read them as something. These complex, rhythmic surfaces are unlike those of any other painter around"

Sue Hubbard, Independent.

Exhibition Hire

Availability

Available from now until end of 2008.

Insurance

Hirer responsible for insurance of £60,000

Running space

70 Metres running wall space

Contact details

Nilesh Mistry, Museums Officer (International Arts), Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, telephone 01274 431212 email nilesh.mistry@bradford.gov.uk

Exhibition contents

17 relief works including text panel, labels and preview carddesign. The preview card design includes a review of the new work by Nilesh Mistry, Museums Officer (International Arts), Cartwright Hall Art Gallery.

Venue to provide

• Insurance
• Onward transport (or return to Cartwright Hall Art Gallery)
• Replacement packing materials
• Gallery warding
• Attendance figures
• Education programme
• Press/media coverage

Fee

£2,000 for an eight week period, longer/shorter by negotiation

Transport

Fee includes one way transport. Hirer to return or transport to next venue.