“The paintings of Kiran Soni Gupta connect with the beauty of the land and its people” said Neelam Deo, Consul General of India, New York, speaking at the exhibition of the artist titled ’Colors of India” on January 7^th at the Cambridge Centre of Adult Education.

The Consul General inaugurated the show with the traditional lighting of the lamp. She also highlighted on some issues that add relevance and substance to the relationship between India and the US. US  Ambassador to Austria, Swanee Hunt, Dr. Kathy Eckerd, Director of Mason Fellows, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard, Dr. John Thomas, Prof at Harvard, Jenna Moskowitz, Director of Education at the Cambridge Center of Adult Education and a large number of dignataries and art lovers attended the event.

The compering of the program was done by  Mr Jaspal. The artist was introduced by her friend and  collegue Kathy Anderson and vote of thanks was given by Dr. Ashok Saluja, President of the Medical Association.

 Kiran Soni Gupta is the Commissioner, Command Area Development & Colonization, Bikaner and a Mason Fellow at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. The ‘Colors of India’ exhibit features a varied selection of her paintings, done in both oil and watercolor. There are miniatures, pencil sketches and Tanjore style etched works. The subject matter is varied yet one can perceive a preference to Rajasthani people and culture that is depicted in many of her works. Others include scenes titled  Grind of Life, Elixir of Life,, Waiting, Thirsty, Men in hookah, Mourning etc depicting everyday Indian life, religious figures and abstract art while a few untitled panels were engaging, lucid and splendidly colorful.

 â€œThe ‘Colors of India’ is a reflection of my impression of the cultural diversity if India. Although it is difficult to capture it in a small exhibit, I do hope it will bring the people in Cambridge and around it to view it.” Gupta said. A self taught artist with no formal training, there is no doubt that her talent comes from her passion and interest in the form. Kathy Anderson, a friend commented “ Kiran’s paintings reflect on the beautiful artworks where the journey of  life is a combination of mind and heart, a palate of her expression”. Ambassador, Swanee Hunt called her “ a public official with a soul”, her work “sensitive and beautiful”.

A widely traveled person, Gupta had the opportunity to exhibit her paintings at various places all around the Globe. Her work on "The Famine" won her the National award in the All India Art Exhibition organised to commemorate the jubilee celebrations of the AIF ACS.She is also a prolific writer and her topics are as varied as her paintings such as ‘women and environment, Alleviating Poverty through Literacy, strengthening the Panchayat, Impact of globalization and Liberalization, male child Syndrome etc. Her concerns and sensitivity to various contemporary issues have been expressed regularly in her writing in many national/ international newspapers/journals including The Hindu, The Indian Express, The Tribune & The Economic Times.

The exhibition will be open to the public till January end at the Cambridge Center of Adult Education.  Admission is free. For more information log on to ww www.kiransoniarts.com www.worldartemporium.co.uk

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