NAMASTE INDIA

When & Where
Pune Expat Club is organizing the Wow India Photo and Painting show on September 16 (Sunday) at the Ista Hotel on Nagar Road, Yerwada, from 2 pm to 7 pm. Entry per person is Rs. 200.

The Pune Expat Club’s Wow India 2012 brings American, British, French, Spanish, Italian, Brazilian, Korean, Japanese, and Iranian expatriates (to name a few) in the city under one roof to showcase their perspective on life in India through art. Over 65 participants, most of whom are artists and photographers, are already with their exhibits, and around 100 of their paintings and photographs will be on display at the show. The participants include employees of corporations and their families, and children from five international schools in the city.

Sounding excited about the event, Dr Nicola Pawar from Germany says, “I am hoping that my picture will be different from the rest. I also want to see the other exhibits. And observe all the different viewpoints. I could take these pictures home and show my family and friends how local people in India weave clothes “. The picture she has chosen for the show was taken when she was touring Gujarat.

Will Muir, who works for the Equal Community Foundation in the city, says, “This is a nice event as they welcome people from abroad,” Will is exhibiting two of his portraits for the show. “I wanted to capture the happiness on the faces of my subjects. And show certain aspects such as family values. Friendship and security that Indians enjoy to me. Expressions are very important,” he shares.

“When I take pictures. I try to capture the colors, the vibrancy and mood in the scene,” says Rose Smith from the UK, who is exhibiting two of her pictures taken at Haridwar. “I’m not a professional photographer. If what I see pleases me. I click,” says Rose, wife of Ian Smith, Managing Director, SK Sourcing and Management Pvt. Ltd.

The art show, which is open to all, will include an auction of the expats’ paintings and photographs all for Rs. 3000. Even though they had to put their hands in their pockets to get the works ready, the entire money made from the auction will go to the Muksaan Project (Ishanya Foundation). The project supports and trains underprivileged women to make a living. Apart from this, the art carnival will auction the paintings of child wonder painter 14 years old Haris Imtiyaz Khan. Well-known caricaturist Prashant Sinha will also draw a live painting titled ‘Wow India – In Motion’, which will capture the timeline of the event. The painting will be auctioned at the end of the event. Besides art, there will also be wine and cheese, entertainment, awards and recognition.