Muses from the
museum
A NEWSLETTER
Dear Readers,
Change is afoot at our museum and we are here to share it with you.
Almost 7 years ago we began to pursue the small dream of a dynamic artist. It was his dream to belong to the world, to be understood and so, here we are. Over the last few years our museum has grown exponentially, since we opened our doors as India’s first single-artist museum, in the winter of 2018, and officially in Feb 2019 at the IIC on the artist’s 97th birth anniversary. We are thrilled to share with you all that is new and upcoming in our space for 2025! But before we go ahead, do take some time to go through a recap and the highlights of our progress.
Looking back, the artist’s wife, Shukla Sehgal, and his sons Raman and Rajan, while excited to embark on this unique and uncharted journey, were unaware of the community we would be sharing our first newsletter with, only 6 years later. In your hands today is our attempt to give you, the reader, a glimpse of our beginnings and all that we have embarked upon.
Do take some time to read our 1st edition. We promise the subsequent ones to follow will be shorter and focused on our salient activities for the future. Our first newsletter however covers all that we have been doing, starting from the museum space in 2015.
Our story
Well, it began with the unboxing of precisely 289 boxes. My predecessor, Shruti Isaac, and the team spent hundreds of hours archiving and curating the slowly unraveling collection of sculptures, paperwork, tapestries, books and documents. I have to admit, we are still uncovering gems in the archives. After all, it was a life that needed to be unwrapped with much care.
Centennial year
Sehgal would have turned 103 this year. Looking back, the centennial celebration 2022 – 2023 was the most comprehensive and dynamic series of exhibitions of his works. It was as though the entire city was celebrating the artist. A festival of 22 events to be precise. Of course, with the onset of the pandemic, things weren’t easy for us, and the footfall was close to none at the museum. There were limitations apart from the sorrow and fear of the uncomprehended spread of the virus. We had to do justice to the man who dedicated his entire life to the arts.
Community and us
Our growth over the years can be measured through the collaborations and initiatives that we take much pride in being associated with. Preserving a legacy while tedious has been a rewarding experience and now we are focused on using this platform to bridge gaps in the art community, within our means.
our vision
The fabric of this institution has been woven with the artist’s values. We have blossomed into an ecosystem of art enthusiasts, building a network of like-minded people, and professionals in the field of art, that can encourage young minds to encourage their creative talent. We envision these professionals coming together with various skill sets that would help build the careers of some of the finest artists of our time.
OUR
STORY
There was a flood of photographs that took over the space and to date continues to capture our viewers’ attention as they visit us. It’s astonishing to witness the stories seized in various inland letters and silver-tone photographs as though it was the artist’s plan all along to deliver his story. Oh, and how he has succeeded!
Many of you may not know that Sehgal’s story, now a well-versed one, was once lesser known. There was much to tell and much more to show. The opening of the museum was the start of our storytelling journey, and what began with a display of his sketches and selection of sculptures, grew into a versatile display of a collection of art created over 6 decades. Today our display is focused on the life of the man, as should a single artist museum. Our current exhibition called “The Journey” is a carefully studied curation of his art in conversation with (original) archival material that supports the story of an artist who is yet to be known better. The walls owe it to us to treasure the creative soul that resided here.
Lucky for us, he lived an adventurous life, one of colour with a risqué attitude that accelerated in the post war world. Whether it was sharing a studio with Pollock in the East Village, or moving to Luxembourg and starting afresh in his forties, the year he spent in Africa or the 10 years he spent working in rural India. These are all stories of experiences that shaped the man into the artist we love today.
The lower gallery, called “The Window” is a comprehensive display of black and white photos, a window into the artist’s public life. Dressed always immaculately in the formal attire of coat and tie, the photographs reveal the wide array of patrons and friendships he developed through his career. Some of them turned into lifelong friendships. Surely, it leaves you wondering how a sensitive and introverted young artist with no means or connections made his way to the White House.
Our newest exhibit this year is the “Iconics”: A display of Sehgal’s most iconic masterpieces beautifully photographed in their respective dwellings. The display is a coming together of some of his celebrated works representative of a consistently transforming society and its many layers. The curated selection aims to capture the viewer’s imagination of a bygone era and at the same time inflict the strong sense of social responsibility borne by the artist. Most artworks are in public spaces, and were created with a certain social message to ignite the sense of urgency within the thinkers and change makers of society. Some are archival photos while some are photographed here in Delhi.
The Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, our long-term partner, has been championing the artist’s legacy in multiple collaborative efforts over the years. Sehgal lived in this beautiful European country for 24 years. He established a deep-rooted connection with their people and culture. His work in return enhanced the diplomatic relations between the two countries that we continue to nurture. The Honourable Ambassador, Her Excellency Mrs. Peggy Frantzen and her dedicated team have worked with us to create incredible projects and initiatives to propagate the artist in India as well as the link between the two countries. It is important to mention, that her predecessor, His Excellency Mr. Jean Claude Kugener, began this friendship to promote the new museum back in 2018, an initiative we still cherish. The Joint Stamp Release in 2023, by the embassy in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, a project headed by Minister Mrs. Meenakshi Lekhi, and her team was a milestone celebration in the centennial year celebrations.
CENTENNIAL
YEAR
We are privileged to get the opportunity to work and partner with historic institutions who believed in the artist’s work to pull off a celebration to remember. To be true to his legacy, we collaborated with establishments that were important to him, to honour him the right way. And, in all honesty, the debate to make a rightful tribute over merely a grand one, was easily won over.
It was the end of the third wave of COVID-19 in 2022, when we commenced our centennial year with a film screening and online discussion hosted by the IIC on the artist’s 100th birth anniversary. “A Portrait” was directed by the renowned writer and documentary- filmmaker, Mr. Rajiv Mehrotra who was also present for the discussion along with Prof. (Dr.) Nuzhat Kazmi and Mrs. Manjari Nirula, all of whom have known the artist from his early days.
The NGMA, in New Delhi collaborated with us to launch our first publication, a monograph, 100 Years of Amar Nath Sehgal, along with a preview of the artist’s sculptures and sketches from the NGMA collection. This was a notable event, after all, Sehgal had his retrospective show curated by the legendary L.P. Sihare, of NGMA in 1972, in the very same premises to celebrate 25 years of Indian Independence.
The book took two years to come together. From research, documentation and curating the collection in the publication. It includes extensive essays by various writers who knew the artist personally, over various themes that were close to his heart and work. Photographs by the renowned Madan Mehta and an archived article by P.N. Mago are a few highlights from the book.
While we intended to show the artist in all his glory, it was imperative to portray the vast expanse of his curious nature in the displays of our various exhibitions.
It was an exciting year for the museum. We had an all-paperwork show at the IGNCA called “ A Life in Black and White” which showcased a 100 of his drawings in ink, allowing us to introspect the relationship he had with the colour. The institution that has a collection of his works had three iconic bronze sculptures- Hunger, Dragon and Floating, as a part of the display. The IGNCA also organized a symposium to commemorate the artist with a discussion and talks by various critics and art historians in their auditorium.
The next, and probably the most enigmatic display by the virtue of great collaborators, we had was the “Nature in Bronze” exhibition. It was an adaptation of his works, in principle, as he used nature to create solid bronze works to be displayed in nature. The exhibition was gloriously lit up by our lighting partner Vis A Vis at the Gandhi King Plaza, IIC.
We were pleasantly surprised by the kind inclusion of the artist in the EU INDIA 60 Legends publication that was brought out by EICBI. Sehgal was included amongst other influential people such as Prime Ministers and revolutionaries. The recognition has been to acknowledge their roles in strengthening relations between India and Europe, and Sehgal who was considered an ambassador in the arts.
Our closing exhibition for the centennial year was the ‘Mythologies’ series curated by the renowned art critic, writer and curator, Uma Nair at the IIC. She brought forward an aspect of Sehgal’s work that hasn’t been explored in such detail before. His personal exploration in the ancient scriptures of the Mahabharat and the Ramayan and the concept of Ganesha through his use of vibrant colours in mixed media created diverse interest.
Later in June, we lost our trusted critic and the backbone of the museum, Mrs. Shukla Sehgal. Her participation in the Centennial year enhanced the work we were doing, to bring forth a legacy that was an integral part of her life. They met in the halls of Modern school, as young teachers with a shared fire to make a difference. She was vivacious and he was passionate, and together they built a life that allowed him the necessary support to create some of the finest artworks of his generation which wouldn’t have been possible without her.
Bringing together all the 22 events varied in scale and kind, was a mammoth task, but imperative to kindle the same enthusiasm the artist shared. Our entire effort has brought together people who believe in a similar vision as ours, forming a new path of philanthropy through the legacy we have been gifted.
COMMUNITY
AND US
Over the years, we challenged ourselves to create an impact-driven ecosystem around us. Our growing community includes government bodies and institutions, NGOs, schools, colleges, embassies, private and public museums, galleries, auction houses, and libraries to put it broadly.
One of our focused initiatives this past year has been Children’s Hope India. An NGO dedicated to underprivileged children. We offer them workshops in the museum, a foot into the world of art from as early as 4 years old. The greatest joy for us is to see these toddlers thoroughly engulfed in creating art once they get their hands on colours. The workshops are designed to be unrestrictive, imaginative and free for the child to explore. Parul Sharma, a young and talented artist conducts these workshops along with the team at the museum with much enthusiasm.
Our initiative with the Partition Museum in 2022, led us to start the Amar Nath Sehgal Oral History Project. Documenting survivors and partition affected families through interviews and videos has been another heartwarming and fulfilling objective of the museum that we are proud to be a part of.
We have established our Young Artist Program, which focuses on mentorship, guidance in the professional realm of the art world, and monetary support. Harsh Kumar who worked with us at the museum, was the first awardee and recipient of the grant in 2022- 2023. His works were showcased at the Arpana Caur Art Gallery in Delhi for two weeks and we are not coy to share that it was an absolute sell-out! His exhibition, “In Solitude” was a simple display of his complex working mind in the hills of Himachal, while he was pursuing his master’s degree. The program allowed us to provide a strong and supportive platform for the budding artist in more than one way.
Last year, Abhishek Chakraborty, the second candidate was selected for the Program through our first collaboration with Art Incept, a gallery based in Gurgaon dedicated to young artistic minds. Abhishek who is from Kolkata, completed his postgraduate studies from Shanti Niketan. His artistic practice is an observed study of the drastic disparity between the urban and rural, in all aspects, starting from their respective landscapes. This year, Abshishek will be joining our first residency program in collaboration with our new partner, Top Floor Studio by Devika Swarup. An exciting initiative to help emerging talent and give them much needed studio space.
The museum over the years has published various catalogs and books and we would be happy to share them with you. Do reach out to us if you’re interested. We also have a growing community library at the museum.
As a museum should, our role in a unique way has been focused on enriching communities and fostering learning and creativity. We provide scholarships to emerging talent and promote engagement through diversity. An overall educational experience with a whole lot of fun in everything we do.
Our work has gone beyond preserving the legacy of an artist’s work, beyond the four walls of a studio and the confines of a limited audience. We have taken the initiative to preserve the collective legacy of our community.
Thriving now is a cultural exchange between the residents of our neighbourhood:
Our first major community project is the Jangpura Bhogal project. While we absolutely loved every bit of the project, we were initially unsure of the dialogue we would have with our audience.
Our 3-month project turned out to be one of the most successful initiatives of 2024. Apart from meeting some great residents and new friends, we got to eat some delicious food, get lost in historical tales, and create a community we call ours. If you ask us, the most exciting part of it all was the oral history we collected from people from various walks of life, which led us to start the Jangpura Archive – a digital repository of photographs, articles, oral history, and all things that we have dedicated ourselves to save for the future of this locality.
We built a dynamic team with Ananya Mahishwar who headed the project with Historian Dr. Saeed Ahmad, with a PhD on Jangpura, the talented storyteller Sohail Hashmi, and Anil Goswami, one of the oldest and most loyal residents of Jangpura.
We have also just published a book, Jangpura, The Portrait of a Community based on the work we are doing. The Jangpura-Bhogal Community Initiative began with the intention of creating, an inclusive cultural project, that resonated with the morals and ethos of the artist’s lifelong work. We have undertaken the project to serve as a repository for history and collective memory, enhance the already unified community, and build together an ecosystem that flourishes around us. Our objective has been to integrate and foster cultural identity which would empower us with valuable relationships and a deep sense of belonging. The project came to fruition thanks to the encouragement and support from our neighbourhood.
Our first community initiative was in 2019 when we installed the sculpture of Lala Lajpat Rai in the park. We witnessed the direct impact it had on the community. Located today in the heart of Jangpura, the Lala Lajpat Rai Park adorns the bust made by Sehgal, which brings people together on special occasions and government celebrations. Every year the sculpture is garlanded and celebrated.
In 2025, we will be taking the project forward with much enthusiasm for all the great responses we have received so far.
The Tree of Love
Last year we started a series called The Tree of Love. This series is a celebration of lives that have contributed to the crafts community. A conversation was hosted by Mrs. Sujata Prasad and Mr. Oroon Das.
The first edition was an enchanting evening with Jaya Jaitley. The conversation was filled with untold stories of sheer commitment to the craft community for 4 decades.
Stay tuned for more information on our next talk in the series.
Chef’s table
Last year we hosted our 1st Dinner at the Museum! Celebrating the culinary arts with Chef Prima Kurien.
A tribute to the artist Amar Nath Sehgal who enjoyed a traditional home-cooked meal, we are excited to share our new program in collaboration with We the Chefs.
Prima brought her magic from God’s own country, Kerala, to the heart of Delhi in the Sehgal Private Collection.
We have some exciting new gatherings lined up for later, this year. Do let us know if you would like to receive updates, emails, and newsletters from us in the future.
We will be sharing our calendar of events for the coming month on our new website, apart from other social media platforms. This year we plan to bring to our community a series of exciting conversations and experiential gatherings that we promise will bring more to the table, quite literally. More food walks and history talks, craft and textile enthusiasts, curated museum walks and film screenings, performances, and shhhh… you’ll be notified!
Before we head off to bring forth more exciting news, we would like to say the biggest thank you to our supporters and collaborators. Marking our first newsletter is a milestone in its own right and we are here to keep coming back with more just for you, our subscribers. You can write to us at speak@amarnathsehgal.com to add you to our mailing list.
Our Vision
We are here to mentor and guide the artists of tomorrow with the community they need.
This year we plan to bring to our community a series of exciting conversations and experiential gatherings that we promise will bring more to the table, quite literally.
The Sehgal Private Collection is a repository of memories of a single man who believed he could move the world with his work. And that he did. We are here to use this legacy to make a small change in this crazy world of art.
An artist’s studio, underrated for what it provides, is a sacred place that holds the imagination of a creative person, a temple of imagination. J23 was a sanctuary that allowed him to thrive and now we are excited to share the space with other aspiring artists to thrive.
So, see you soon!
Wishing you the very best for 2025,
The Amar Nath Sehgal Private Collection