Shakti

Shakti

Contemporary art responses to historic South Asian collections

Shak•ti: noun a formidable engagement and channelling of creative powers,

from the Sanskrit “he is strong”

In collaboration with National Trust, Oriel Davies Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Meadow Arts is proud to present Shakti, an ambitious contemporary arts programme that unfolds across four venues in both England and Wales, exploring the cultural and artistic relationship between Britain and the Indian Subcontinent.

The four art exhibitions that make up Shakti examine the strong cultural and artistic attractions or tensions that lie beneath the more conventionally explored economic and political discourses between the UK and the subcontinent. The many important historic collections of South Asian art in this country show a degree of understanding, curiosity and admiration of these cultures.

In response, Shakti’s contemporary artists show a formidable engagement and channelling of creative powers, which is one of the meanings of the Sanskrit word Shakti.

Powis Castle, Kedleston Hall and Wolverhampton Art Gallery act not only as a dynamic setting for the exhibitions, but also as powerful protagonists. These impressive buildings (two in the care of National Trust) carry important historical associations, each illustrating different aspects of the relationship over time and housing important collections of South Asian art.                               

The fourth venue, Oriel Davies in Newtown, Powys is a well-established and highly regarded contemporary art space which will host a one person show of the artist in residence at Powis Castle, Sharmila Samant.

Lead image: Ravinder Reddy, Gilded Head. Polyester resin fibreglass and paint. Courtesy the Frank Cohen Collection.

Ticket information