Broadway Gallery in Letchworth is currently hosting an exhibition showcasing a captivating collection of paintings by the late artist and educator Amal Ghosh (1933 – 2022).

Born in Calcutta, India, in 1933, Amal Ghosh's artistic journey led him from the Government College of Arts and Craft in India to the Central School of Arts and Craft in Britain, where he specialised in mural painting. Subsequently, he pursued studies at the Hertfordshire College of Art, St Albans. Ghosh's artistic legacy is celebrated in major public collections, including the Victoria & Albert Museum and Art Council England. His works have graced esteemed galleries such as the Bluecoat Gallery in Liverpool, the Barbican in London, and the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.

Initially, Ghosh's artistic education followed the conventions of Western art schools, with minimal engagement with his own cultural heritage. However, a transformative period during his studies at the Central School, under the guidance of tutors Cecil Collins and Alan Davie, encouraged Ghosh to delve into the visual traditions of his Indian roots. Collins and Davie, renowned for their embrace of non-Western art, philosophy, and spirituality, played a pivotal role in reawakening Ghosh's appreciation for his Indian heritage.

Ghosh's artistic evolution from the 1980s onwards saw a profound exploration of human and animal forms. His paintings, marked by distorted and contorted body parts alongside symbolic creatures from Indian visual culture, reflect a deep engagement with the Ajanta cave murals in India, known for their early Buddhist murals. While Hindu and Buddhist symbols permeate Ghosh's work, their interpretations remain open-ended, inviting viewers to engage with their own frame of reference.

Amal Ghosh: Bridge is presented by the Broadway Gallery, a charitable service of the Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation, in collaboration with Iris Ghosh, with generous support from the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art.

Indian Artists in Britain Symposium

In conjunction with the ongoing exhibition 'Amal Ghosh: Bridge,' Broadway Gallery is delighted to announce a symposium on Tuesday, 26 March 2024. This symposium brings together esteemed Art Historians, Researchers, and Practicing Artists to delve into the significance and impact of the Indian Painters Collective and Indian Artist UK collective in Britain. The event will also explore the history and representation of Indian Artists in the British arts.

Running from 930 am to 3pm, the symposium offers attendees the opportunity to engage with four distinguished speakers, participate in interactive Q&A sessions, enjoy lunch & refreshments, and explore the exhibition 'Amal Ghosh: Bridge.'

Tickets to this exclusive event are priced at £15 (£10 for concessions) and can be booked, along with full program details, at www.broadway-gallery.com.

The exhibition runs until Saturday, April 6 and is free to visit.