‘Mother India’: Art show celebrates Indian art

Peggy Stansbery, Contributing Writer

Gallery5 opened its month-long art show “Mother India” on Friday, Sept. 2 as a part of First Fridays — a monthly celebration of the local cultural communities in Richmond’s Art District and beyond, according to First Friday’s Facebook page.

“Mother India” highlights Indian art and culture. This is Gallery5’s fourth year holding this show. The Gallery opened in 2005 and has since worked to uphold its mission: to engage communities through the arts, according to the gallery’s website.

Prabir Mehta, Gallery5’s chair of the Board of Directors and creator of “Mother India,” said the exhibition is an “exact manifestation of the mission.”

As an Indian immigrant, Mehta said he has always felt a deep connection to India while simultaneously noticing the lack of representation Indians have in the arts. He then found himself with the opportunity to create a month-long show celebrating and sharing Indian arts, according to Mehta.

Mehta said those who attend the show will feel the essence of Gallery5’s mission: connecting the many communities of Richmond through art that inspires, educates, creates dialogue and entertains.

Classical Indian vocals and instrumental music, traditional Indian blessings for the audience and a Bollywood Dance Party on “Mother India”’s opening night filled Gallery5’s stage, according to Mehta.

“This is going to be a night to remember,” Mehta said. “I’m very proud of the work that has happened and am looking forward to sharing India and Indian arts with the many folks who come through.”

Soham Apte, one of the musicians who performed at “Mother India’s” opening celebration, said Gallery5 has been the hub for cultural exhibitions and artists for some time now.  

“I’m delighted that they have continued with the annual “Mother India” event driven to empower budding Indian artists and musicians,” Apte said. “This empowerment represents key rudiments towards social and cultural vitalization.”

Apte said he hopes people attending “Mother India” can understand that even though cultural experiences may be different, art represents and connects all human beings together.

“Uplifting and appreciating the beauty of cultural arts is cornerstone for understanding what really makes us so similar,” Apte said. 

Fine art is included in the show alongside performance art. One of the artists showcased is Ruchi Gupta, a Richmond-based ceramic artist. She hosted an artist talk at the opening night of “Mother India.”  

Gupta was born and raised in India and moved to the United States as an adult, she said. Growing up, Gupta said she always created art, but didn’t think being a full time artist was an option.

Gupta said she is joyful to be working as a full time artist after working in corporate IT for many years.

“There was a phase when I would say I am a project manager trying to become an artist, so it is a proud moment that I can call myself an artist without any explanation,” Gupta said. “It’s a very happy place.” 

Gupta has worked as a full time ceramic artist for the past nine years in her home studio in Richmond. An article Gupta read about a studio potter while working IT in India sparked Gupta’s interest in ceramic art, she said. 

Her ceramic art featured in “Mother India” is an interpretation of the way she sees, relates to and gets inspiration from Indian culture, Gupta said. Gupta’s pieces feature intricate details, eye-catching colors and written word. 

Gupta’s work and the other art displayed at the “Mother India” exhibition will provide a window into Indian culture, Gupta said. 

“I like the idea that it’s the fine art and the performance art,” Gupta said. “It’s not only visual, but the whole experience is there at the ‘Mother India’ show.”