Our Correspondent
Kohima | December 2
The Naga Art Foundation, which envisions to promote and preserve Naga native culture in areas of fine arts and provide a platform to Naga artists, was launched on December 1.
It coincided with the inauguration of Essence Art Gallery and culminated with accomplished Naga sculptor, Lanu Pongen’s solo show: “Naga Spirit II: Defining Self.”
The Alumni Tour Group of Cambridge University and Oxford University UK led by Dr. Vibha Joshi Parkin, Research Associate, Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology, Oxford University inaugurated the event.
Described as “rare artist who is a master of minimalism as well as the king of figurative art,” Pongen’s solo show will run from December 1-22.
Using wood as the medium in most of his creation, an art curator has commented that it comes as a “natural consequence of growing up amidst the verdant green jungles of Nagaland, his home.”
After getting his first break with a State Exhibition of Art in 1999, Pongen has received many awards and accolades including 17th All India Art Contest (Sculpture), Governor’s Gold Medal and Governor’s award for outstanding achievements and contribution in the field of art.
His works travel to various exhibitions, camps & festivals across the country and are part of collections in many museums in India and abroad including the museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
“Pongen’s show Naga Spirit II: Defining Self is a wonderful testimony to both his deep commitment to Naga culture as well as his consummate skill in coaxing magic out of the materials he work with,” penned Minhazz Majundar, writer and curator.
Majumdar added that Pongen explores the complex issues around Naga identity and culture in his works and makes powerful statements about the distinctiveness that defines this part of the world.
His commissioned works include Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India; APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India; Shyamal Datta, former Governor of Nagaland; OP Sharma, former Governor of Nagaland; Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India; Dr. SC Jamir, Governor of Odisha; Lalit Kala Academi, New Delhi; Cambridge Museum, UK; Neiphiu Rio, MP; Raj Bhavan Kohima; NEZCC Dimapur; and SZCC Nagpur.
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