Indian Contemporary Art At The Peabody Essex Museum

On October 1, 2003, the Peabody Essex Museum, America’s oldest continuously operating museum, will be celebrating the establishment of the ‘Herwitz Gallery’ of Contemporary Indian Art at a special reception. Several prominent members of the Indian community will be present at this dedication event.

A unique blend of art and culture is on display at the Peabody Essex Museum at Salem, MA. One of New England's largest museums, it holds renowned collections of maritime art and history; American decorative art, folk art, portraits, costumes, and furniture; Native American art; Oceanic art; and African art. Particularly noteworthy is art from Asia, specifically from China, Japan, Korea, and India.

The museum is a cultural haven in the midst of the bustling town of Salem, MA. If ancient artifacts aren't quite your thing, there's plenty more to see here.

We spoke with Mr. Prashant Fadia, President & CEO of Abacus Software Group, Inc. and member, Board of Trustees and Overseers of the Peabody Essex Museum and Ms. Susan Bean, curator of South Asian and Korean art and cultures. Ms. Bean specializes in the visual and cultural history of 19th and 20th century South Asia.

Her recent book, "Yankee India: American Commercial and Cultural Encounters with India in the Age of Sail, 1784-1860," charts the early days of America's cultural engagement with India. Mr. Fadia sponsored the publication of this unique book under the auspices of the Peabody Essex Museum.

Mr. Fadia also sponsored the publication of “Furniture from British India and Ceylon” by Dr. Amin Jaffer, which is a collaborative effort of the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Peabody Essex Museum. Mr. Fadia wrote in the forward of the book, “Museums preserve our past and unite it with our present, and our future. This publication weaves together the story of three countries of personal significance to me. My interest in funding a catalogue on Anglo-Indian furniture also stems from a longstanding fascination with furniture and architecture and an abiding commitment to the role of museums in our lives.”

Said Mr. Fadia , "The important collections of Indian art and culture at the Peabody Essex Museum tell the story of the earliest economic relations between India and the United States.”

The Peabody Essex Museum has long been a pioneer in the study and presentation of Indian art in the U.S. The museum began collecting the contemporary art and culture from India shortly after it's founding as the East India Marine Society in 1799, and has continued to build its Indian collections since that time. Today, its holdings include thousands of works from India, spanning three centuries of creations from the 18th through the 20th centuries, including paintings and drawings; works in clay, wood and metal; embroideries; furniture; and a large collection of 19th century photographs.

In addition, the collection includes logs and journals recounting 18th and 19th century voyages to India as well as letters from sailors who traveled to India. The Chester & Davida Herwitz Gallery of Indian Contemporary Art covers 67 of India's leading artists of the second half of the 20th century, including M.F. Husain, Tyeb Mehta, Manjit Bawa, and Ganesh Pyne and Bikash Bhattacharjee.

A $125 million renovation initiative has resulted in 250,000 square feet of new and renovated facilities. For the first time in the institutions history, gallery installations represent the full range and scope of the museum's holdings. The project includes an atrium and hallway that completely connects the museum's old buildings in with its new wing.

The new exhibits provide a refreshing emphasis on contemporary world art. Peabody Essex Museum is the first American museum with a whole gallery dedicated to modern and contemporary Indian art. The late Chester and Davida Herwitz gave the gallery and collection to the Peabody Essex Museum.

Mr. Fadia expressed the wish that Indians all over New England visit the museum and enjoy this unique collection of contemporary Indian art.

Said Ms. Susan Bean, "Modern contemporary and 19th century Indian art have been overlooked in Western art institutions, in museums and in institutions of art education in universities. They all stop at around 1750-90. With this presentation, we are taking Asian art from colonial times to the present.
Since we started exhibiting, we're seeing a lot of interest from academics and the public alike. A collection was already here, displayed belonging to PEM that have been acquired over the last 200 years. In India there is tremendous excitement about this because they all know that this is the firs time that an American museum is presenting a collection of Contemporary art from India. This is the only substantial collection in an American museum.
Visitors are enjoying the experience, and collectors are taking notice. I think it is a good thing for the Museum and for the cause of the art of India. We have resources for the Indian community, which we did not have before. At the Museum, they will see India related programs, films, lectures, music etc. We hope to get more support and help from the Indian community."

Ms Bean has been going to India for 30 years. She studied anthropology near Bangalore and stayed in a village to gain a deeper understanding of India.

The museum is open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays until 9 p.m. The Peabody Essex is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Admission to the Museum Shop is free. Adults $12; seniors $10; students $8; children 16 and under and residents of Salem free. Call 866-745-1876, or visit our Web site at www.pem.org.