Emami Art In collaboration with Chatterjee & Lal
Presents
IMPRINT : Riten Mozumdar curated by Ushmita Sahu
Kolkata 12th February 2022 : Riten Mozumdar is fondly remembered as one of the most significant artist-designers of India’s modernist design renaissance who explored diverse designs and materials and contributed to the world of design extensively. Emami Art in collaboration with Chatterjee & Lal and curated by Ushmita Sahu is delighted to host “IMPRINT: RITEN MOZUMDAR”, an archival exhibition on the life of modernist artist designer Riten Mozumdar (1927 –2006) who had an illustrious career spanning five decades. The exhibition will start from 12th February – 8th April 2022, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm on the 5th floor, Emami Art. The show will be open to all.
Riten Mozumdar is known for his contribution to the world of design and his body of work displays a diversity of range and materials exemplifying a rare mastery over mediums and techniques. He was indeed one of the most significant artist-designers of India’s modernist design renaissance. Mozumdar was the product of a schooling which emphasised engagement with heritage as well as arts and crafts as integral to an all-round education. He cherished his relationship with Benodebehari who adored him as his son. He completed his education in painting, sculpture, design and crafts at Santiniketan.
Despite being an artist-sculptor, his tryst with art began as a student in Tagore’s Santiniketan between 1946-50, coinciding with the dawn of an independent India. After completing further studies in Yugoslavia and Italy, Mozumdar moved to Finland and worked at Arabia, a Finnish ceramics company. Upon his return to India he started his own studio – M Prints – out of a garage in 1959 where he crafted fabrics, dress materials, furnishings, saris, household linen and much more. He was also associated with Fabindia from 1966-2000. During this time, he used geometrical shapes in bold and colourful blocks, silkscreen and created a line of household linen that became hugely successful and synonymous with the FabIndia ethos.
Mozumdar was always on the lookout for new challenges, including large scale public commissions. In the late 80’s Mozumdar collaborated with Sachdev Eggleston Associates on several high-profile and award-winning projects. He enjoyed working thoroughly with several other architects such as Ram Sharma, Rajinder Kumar, Raj Rewal and Ravi Sikri.
In the year 1988, Mozumdar returned to Santiniketan and this marked his return to art. He created a series of paintings made with acid dyes on silk with a drop shadow effect to clusters of calligraphic script. These paintings mark the culmination of Mozumdar’s dynamic and syncretic vision, straddling the spectrum of both the arts and crafts; disavowing categorization.
“Riten Mozumdar ‘s work exemplifies a grandeur that is often rare in nature. The way he juxtaposed art and designs is worth mentioning. His designs are still cherished and very much in vogue for other artists as well. It brings me immense pleasure to announce the exhibition IMPRINT: RITEN MOZUMDAR which will bring all his archival works into the limelight and highlight his great mind” says Ushmita Sahu, Curator Emami Art.
“The veteran artist-designer and a close disciple of Benodebehari Mukherjee, Riten Mozumdar, like many of history’s great artists, did not receive due recognition in his lifetime. This exhibition, which is, in fact, a humble tribute to his great achivements,shows our keen interest in shedding new light not only on the well-known masters but equally great but lesser-known talents. Based on in-depth research, Imprint focuses on the life and work of the artist, connecting the phases of his long and creative career, from Santiniketan to the NID and beyond. First held in Mumbai, the exhibition has now come to the artist’s home, Bengal. I hope scholars, critics, and art lovers will see and evaluate his work in today’s context of art practices” says Richa Agarwal, CEO Emami Art.
“It was an incredible experience to revisit Riten Mozumdar in the context of Emami Art exhibition. This is a one of its kind exhibition of Riten Mozumdar since his passing and Emami Art hosting this kind of exhibition makes it more special. This exclusive show will now allow audiences to re-engage with his practice and re-assess the legacy of an astute artist designer like Mozumdar. This exhibition will surely bring his works and designs back to life and will highlight his extraordinary brilliance” said Mortimer Chatterjee, Owner, Chatterjee & Lal.
About Emami Art:
Emami Art, one of the most significant art institutions in the eastern part of India, is a key space for cultural production in the region. The organisation is focused on a future-forward, complex, multi-dimensional approach and steadfast in the advocacy of emerging, mid-career and established artists as well as an engagement with contemporary and historical material. The gallery aims to create dynamic, wide-ranging registers of exhibition-making and viewing. Deeply committed to promoting a regional, national and international agenda through innovative and alternative programming, emphasis on community and socially relevant engagements, institutional partnerships and more via a multi-year vision for the future, Emami Art is resolute to be a catalyst of change, research, innovation and inclusivity. Emami Art, Kolkata Centre for Creativity 777 Anandapur off EM Bypass.