Homelands

Cutting to the heart of 21st century cultural relations, Homelands grapples with the relationship between self and place in a world of transitory identities and contested geographies. Culled from the art collection of the British Council, the exhibition is a unique take on contemporary British art by the Indian curator, Latika Gupta. Including more than 80 works by 28 leading modern and contemporary artists, Homelands excavates the idea of a ‘homeland’ to reveal a rich plurality of meaning; ideas of belonging, alienation, history and memory.

Homelands will roll out a multi-layered programme that includes public exhibitions in four major metros (New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru), artist talks, seminars, curator-led walks, outreach activities and workshops. Homelands is supported by an innovative network of public-private partnerships developed by the British Council, and epitomises a new and exciting funding model for public art in India. Key partners helping to bring the pan-Indian exhibition together include Jaguar, Christie’s and Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited.

The outreach programme, additionally supported by Outset India, is also focused on developing and cultivating unique, local partnerships and encouraging dialogue and collaboration between Indian and UK institutions. 

The exhibition will open in New Delhi on 23rd January 2013 at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), in Kolkata on 1st March 2013 at The Harrington Street Arts Centre, in Mumbai on 28th April 2013 at the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum and in Bengaluru in the last week of June 2013. Join the Facebook event.

Works by 28 of the world’s leading contemporary artists from the British Council Collection will be showcased at the exhibition. 

Angus Boulton | Fabien Cappello | Lisa Cheung | Nathan Coley | Jeremy Deller |  Suki Dhanda | Jimmie Durham | Paul Graham | Graham Gussin | Mona Hatoum | Anthony Haughey | Tim Hetherington | Susan Hiller | David Hockney | Anthony Lam | Langlands & Bell | Richard Long | Rachel Lowe | Haroon Mirza | Raymond Moore | Cornelia Parker | Martin Parr | Grayson Perry | Zineb Sedira | George Shaw | David Shrigley | Bob and Roberta Smith | Gillian Wearing

From this esteemed group of contemporary artists, there are 8 Turner Prize winners and nominees namely Jeremy Deller (winner, 2004), Richard Long (winner, 1989), Grayson Perry (winner, 2003), Gillian Wearing (winner, 1997), Mona Hatoum (nominee, 1995), Langlands & Bell (nominee, 2004), George Shaw (nominee, 2011) and Cornelia Parker (nominee, 1997). Tim Hetherington was the winner of World Press Photo in 2007.  

Four of the showcased artists are being invited to visit the exhibition in India, including Mona Hatoum, Anthony Haughey, Zineb Sedira and Suki Dhanda. During their stay, the artists will engage with audiences, give public talks and conduct workshops.