To mark the Europe Weeks 2024 and to celebrate 70 years of diplomatic ties of India and Bulgaria, an art exhibit “Indo-European Art Impressions- Through the Eyes of Indian Artist- Kiran Soni Gupta” is being organized at the Embassy of Bulgaria on Chandragupta Marg Chanakayapuri in New Delhi. Ambassador Nikolay Yankov is proud to apprise all of the enriching relations between these two friendly countries growing over the years. The relations between India and Bulgaria are longstanding, warm and friendly. The two countries that happen to be ancient civilizations are proud of their glorious cultural heritage. People to people contacts and cultural links between the two countries pre-date the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1954 and there are traces of contacts between the people of the two countries as early as the 8th century AD. Bilateral high level relations have strengthened with the heads of State visiting India and Bulgaria The two independent nations States have developed a close, cordial and multi-dimensional relationship. In 2014 bilateral trade was at 170 million US dollars. The trade volume has grown 50%. There is big scope of expanding the current bilateral trade basket. Likewise India culture has enjoyed considerable popularity including Tagore, Amrita pritam as wells classics like Ramayana, Mahabharta and Panchatantra etc. Much of Bulgarian literature has been translated to Indian languages. This is the first time that the diplomatic relations are being celebrated through visual expression.
The Art Exhibition showcases 105 works of the internationally acclaimed artist bureaucrat Kiran Soni Gupta. The art works are based on her travels in Europe and sharing of cultures between India and European nations. Many of these works are in Oil on Canvas along with some acrylics and fascinating free flowing watercolors. One can appreciate the minute observations of European landscapes, culture and people. The bold strokes and color compositions are worth noting.
The Art Exhibition is slated to open on 7th May 2024 at 5.30 pm. The Exhibition will continue till the 15th May 11 am to 6 pm daily. The works have been executed in many mediums and styles. Their visual expression will surely help us to connect further and to break the barriers to common understanding. This unique art exhibition would promote international integration and binding friendship in a very meaningful way.
Artist’s profile is annexed.
Kiran Soni Gupta is an artist based in Jaipur and an officer of the 1985 batch of the Indian Administrative Service from Rajasthan. She was Director of West Zone Cultural Centre under the Ministry of Culture till Jan 2024. She was also Director General of Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur a leading visual and performing arts cultural center.
Along with being a development practitioner and policy maker she is also a prolific artist, writer, curator sculptor and avid photographer. Kiran has showcased her art at more than forty art institutions of which two dozen were international. Her artworks “NREGA” and “Pooja Times’ and ‘Shelters’ were exhibited at the Louvre, Paris in 2012, 2013 and 2017.
Government of Rajasthan appointed her as Principal Secretary Art and Culture in recognition of her domain accomplishments.
Kiran conceptualized, curated and organized Jaipur’s 1stInternational Art Festival in 2013 with 130 artists In the 2nd edition of 2014 enlisted 240 artists from 24 countries. Recently, she curated an international exhibition at IGNCA New Delhi, LBSNAA Mussoorie and Chandigarh. She has exhibited nationally and internationally- Boston, Chicago, Syracuse, London, Iran, Srilanka, Ottawa, Toronto and many places in India. She also exhibited twice at Le Lourve Carousel in Paris.
Kiran’s paintings on the ‘Famine’ won her the National Award. She has been honored with ‘Indian Iconic Women’s Award 2019, ‘Literary Excellence Award’ at 4th Asiad LitFest, National Gaurav Award 2017 and Fakhre-e-Hind Award 2018, ‘Swasti Samman 2013′, International Vaish Sammelan Award 2013′, “Unnat Bharat Sewashri Damini Award 2013’, Rajasthan Gaurav Award 2013 ” Nari Pratibha Samman “2012,” ‘Kala Samridhi Award’ in 2010, ‘Artist of the Year 2009’, ‘Special Achiever Award 2009’ and ‘Kala Shiromani Award’ 2008.
Her works can be accessed on website www.kiransoniarts.in and on Instagram–kiransoniart. Her book ‘Range-e-Jahan’ and ‘Empower the Woman Enlighten the World’ were launched in 2019. The Times of India has brought out a trilogy of books ‘Beyond Strokes’, ‘Kiran’s Art Renderings’ and ‘Women – God’s Finest Creation’ .Her exhibition’ A Tryst with Art’ was held at Jehangir Art Gallery Mumbai and’ My Conversations with Nature’ in Delhi and India Habitat Centre in 2022. She recently was a part of Jury of International Abstract Art Show Zagreb. A London Gallery has recently selected two of her artworks. Government of Bulgaria has invited her to celebrate the Europe week and 70 years of India- Bulgaria diplomatic relations through her artworks in May 2024.
