Date:08/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/08/stories/2006040806800200.htm

New Delhi

Art exhibition with a difference

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: In an attempt to bridge the gap between society and those with intellectual disabilities, the Society for Child Development (SCD) is organising a unique art exhibition at the Visual Arts Gallery in India Habitat Centre here on Saturday. The three-day exhibition is titled "Art for Prabhat-2006".

Prabhat Special School, started under the aegis of SCD in 1992, is an institution for children with learning difficulties. Innovative techniques such as drama and mime are used at the school to develop academic and social skills. At present the school has over 80 students aged between two and 16.

"Art for Prabhat" is an exhibition where the works of 52 eminent artists who have painted on paper made by students of Prabhat Special School will be displayed. The canvas has been created from recycled waste using an elaborate process. Each sheet is painstakingly created and is acid-free and of fine art quality.

Jogen Chowdhury, Anjolie Ela Menon, Suhas Roy, Yusuf Arakkal, Jatin Das, S.G. Vasudev, Alok Bhattacharya and C. Douglas are some of the artists who have collaborated in this effort. These artists will exhibit their paintings on hand-made paper in an attempt to give people the opportunity to join hands with these special children.

The exhibition will display the dynamic synergy that exists between those who are shunned and isolated by society due to their intellectual disability and those who are loved and revered by society for their artistic genius. The former make the canvas for the latter who further develop it into a thing of beauty.

The art show will also see the participation of Patuas from Kalighat. The Patuas are painter-story tellers who present mythological stories and folklore in paint and paper. Another attraction of the exhibition will be French filmmaker Cedric Labourdette who will be presenting a film made by him using artistes from Prabhat Special School.

Through the exhibition, SCD is seeking to provide exemplary models of education and employment to those with intellectual disabilities.The show will take off on Saturday evening with a flower dance performance by the children of Prabhat Special School.