San Francisco: The first exhibition devoted entirely to Sikh art ever mounted in North America will be on display at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco from November 25-December 27. Splendors of the Punjab: The Art of the Sikhs is a display of more than 20 paintings manuscripts and objects of decorative art depicting leaders and various scenes representing Sikh culture.
The exhibition begins with paintings of the first and the last Gurus teachers who defined the Sikh faith. Guru Nanak the founder and first Guru of the Sikh faith can be seen in several paintings some from a copy of the Janam Sakhi Manuscript a text that tells the story of Guru Nanaks life. A bound copy of this manuscript is also displayed in this exhibition. Guru Gobind Singh who declared himself the last in the line of Gurus is also represented in this show.
Ranjit Singh regarded as one of the most important Sikh rulers is a favorite artistic subject and is shown herein numerous situations on formal occasions as well as in less formal moments with his attendants. In this time period the kingdom of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the most powerful holdout to British expansion commented Robert Del Bonta guest curator in charge of this exhibition. Lahore the capital was a major center for Indian arts during the early 10th century. A series of 19 miniature paintings on ivory is also on display depicting among others men associated with the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
One of the best amateur painters to capture images of India was an Englishwoman Emily Eden. Her book of lithographs Portraits of the Princess and People of India included many members of Ranjit Singh’s court. Eden visited the Maharaja with her brother Lord Auckland Governor-General of India from 1836-1842. Eden’s images created a great impact within the artistic community of Lahore inspiring many to create works that were based on her lithographs.
One such work modeled after Eden’s portrait of Ranjit Singh can be seen in this exhibition. The Order of the Punjab a small gold decoration inlaid with stones features a portrait painted on one side and floral and bird motifs enameled on the other. This piece along with an Akali cakra are the two examples of Sikh decorative arts included in this display.
Diversity in Sikh art is found not only in the medium used but also within the artistic styles applied. Objects in this exhibition display represent such styles as Punjab Hills Delhi Kashmir East India and Company School.
Splendors of the Punjab: The Art of the Sikhs has been made possible by a contribution from the Sikh Foundation.
Sikh Art and Literature a conference on Sikh culture cosponsored by The Sikh Foundation and the Center for South Asia Studies at UC Berkeley will be held at the Asian Art Museum on Nov.28-29. For more information about the conference please call The Sikh Foundation at 415-494SIKH.
The Asian Art Museum is located in Golden Gate Park. Hours are Wednesday through Sunday 10 am-5 pm. Admission is $5 adults; $3 seniors 65 and over; $2 youth 12-17; and free for children under 12. For information about exhibitions and public programs call 415-668-7855. For general museum info: call 415-668-8921.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 18, 1992
