Generation Next: Sukrupa Field Trip to NGMA

Generation Next: Sukrupa Field Trip to the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA)

October 9, 2009

The event was organised by Ms. Adiba Hashim from Sackhumvit Trust on the 9th of October, 2009 for the art students of Sukrupa. 

The main objective of this event was to create awareness about Indian art to the students of Sukrupa. An introduction to visual arts was given at Sukrupa at 10 a.m. A total of 27 students attended the programme.

Ms. Adiba enlightened the students about the different mediums of visual arts, which are drawing, painting, sculpture, print making, architecture, and performance arts like dance and music. The students were knowledgeable about the topics and they responded well to the discussion. Later she spoke about the contrast between modern art and contemporary art.

The students were then shown a PowerPoint presentation on the figurative and abstract works of great Indian artists like M.F. Hussain and Raza. After the short break, the students were asked to display their works of art which they had created in class over the past few months. The students enthusiastically explained their drawings and also spoke about their inspiration for drawing.

At 11.30, the students of Sukrupa were taken to the National Art Gallery of Modern Art (National Gallery) to expose them to Indian art. As soon as the students entered the National Gallery, their attention was drawn towards the sculptures placed in the premises. They were then joined by a very knowledgeable guide, Ms. Tejeshwi, who explained about the various arts on display. Upon entering the gallery, the students got to see historical paintings like miniature paintings, glass paintings and portraits of kings and the royal families and also the works of Raja Ravi Verma.

The students also got a chance to examine the paintings, etchings and lithographs done by Bengal school artists like Gagendranath Tagore, Rabindranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose and Baroda school artists. The works of the first Indian woman artist, Arpitha Singh were also on display.

The students then observed the differences between modern and contemporary art, figurative and abstract art, and folk and tantrik art while touring the Modern wing of the National Gallery. Students appreciated this component of their visit as it directly related to Ms. Adiba’s presentation at Sukrupa. Most students wished they had more time to view the paintings in the National Gallery, and were surprised to learn that they could visit at any time for the price of Rs.1/student/day!!! The students finally left the Art Gallery and reached Sukrupa at 1.30p.m.

The event was useful and educative for the students and Ms. Adiba was pleased with the level of intelligence and the interest shown by the Sukrupa students.

Written by: Ms. Asha, Art Teacher at Sukrupa