‘Prisms of perception’ of a new-generation Indian artist

During September-October 2012, Gigi Scaria is in Melbourne, supported by the Macgeorge Bequest. 

Simultaneously, the Ian Potter Museum of Art presents a selection of artist Gigi Scaria’s recent videos (Curators: Bala Starr and Natalie King) for the 2012 Melbourne Festival in partnership with Utopia@Asialink. It provides audiences with the opportunity to experience his work for the first time in this city.

Since 2002, he has made thirty independent films which explore a range of topics inspired by place and the people who inhabit particular locations that are imbued with different social and political conditions. The films include: ‘A day with Sohail and Maryan’ (2004), ‘Home: in/out’ (2005), ‘Raise your hands those who have touched him’ (2007), and ‘All about the other side’ (2008).

Subjects such as the children who inhabit the streets of New Delhi and the memories of people who have met or seen Mahatma Gandhi inspire him, whereas his recent video work deals with the impact of the rapid growth of India’s cities and the social conditions that have been affected by this change.

Gigi Scaria’s experience of moving from his village in the southern state of Kerala, to the sprawling national capital of India made clear to him the sense of alienation commonly experienced by migrants. His videos are informed by this experience and the change and constant flux of great cities. He is interested in the effect of this change on newly arrived and long-established residents.

Founded in 1972, the Potter Museum is the University of Melbourne’s art museum. Housed in an award-winning building opened in 1998, the Potter is the largest university-based art museum in Australia and a national leader in the field. The Potter manages the University Art Collection, a rich resource of art and artifacts spanning neolithic to contemporary.  We are a cultural and educational facility, serving both the campus community and the general public.

The Potter will also present a major solo by Gigi Scaria in September 2013.