News and Events /SURJIT AKRE'S RETROSPECTIVE PAINTING EXHIBTION OPENED 16 Jan 2007

A fortnight-long Painting and Drawings Retrospective Show by eminent Indian artist and President of Roerichs' Art Society, RCSC, Mrs. Surjit Akre, dedicated to the visit of Mr. Vladimir V. Putin, President of the Russian Federation, to India, jointly organized by the Russian Centre of Science & Culture, Gallery Pioneer and www.ishtart.com, was opened at the RCSC, 24, Ferozeshah Road, here on January 12, 2007.

Mrs. Surjit Akre is one of India's finest contemporary artists and first post-graduate from the Ilya Repin Institute of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, St. Petersburg (formerly Leningrad). The Exhibition comprises selected retrospective works of the artist spanning the period from 1974 to 2006.

Welcoming an elite gathering comprising members of the diplomatic corps, artists, art critics, and others, Mr. Fyodor a. Rozovskiy, Director, Russian Centre of Science and Culture, said that considering the importance of art in inspiring the society in different ways, Mrs. Surjit Akre has made immense contributions in bringing the societies and cultures of Russia and India closer to each other.

H. E. Mr. Vyacheslav I. Trubnikov, Ambassador, Russian Federation to India, who was to have been the Chief Guest at the function, could not make it being preoccupied, and hence his message read out on the occasion. Wishing the Exhibition all success, he noted that in Mrs. Surjit Akre's works she has imbibed nature, beauty, passion and love. Adding that she has embraced art in the true spirit, the Ambassador said that her works reflect a genuine artist's emotive maturity and gentleness.

In his address as the Guest of Honour, prominent Art Critic Mr. Kesav Malik said that Mr. Surjit Akre has been known to him for decades, and slowly and steadily her warm-hearted work has found a genuine response from the discerning public. "The humane traits in her own person have contributed to this happy result. She has a kindly eye, and so this eye observes the world not in bitterness, but affection or with a touching sorrow. These positive qualities are rare at this point of time. And thus I salute them", Mr. Kesav Malik said.

Prof. O. P. Sharma, Former Principal, College of Art, Guest of Honour, lauded Mrs. Surjit Akre's simplicity of expression, compassion and sensitivity, which are emphatically portrayed in her works. He added that she has always tried to achieve the objectivity and honesty in her art and the same is admired by the art fraternity. She is oriented towards giving existence to emotional unity, and she portrays true colours of life in all her paintings, Prof. Sharma said.

In her address, Mrs. Surjit Akre threw light on her long association with Russia and gracefully acknowledged those who helped her long endeavour carving a niche in the artistic world. She said that the collection of work is her individual journey, an artist's expression, and will offer her countrymen an unique opportunity to see for themselves how intimately the influences and diversities of both cultures have inspired her.