They’ve come from different parts of America, each finding their way to India. With their cameras, eleven American photographers have captured the essence of the country, each drawn to the lush, visual kaleidoscope that is India. They have wandered through the by-lanes of frenetic Indian cities, capturing the moods of changing and unchanging India. Now the Indo-American Arts Council has brought the work of these celluloid Marco Polos together in ‘Through the Eyes of Others: Photographic Journey of India’, a show curated by Priyanka Mathews and Amina Ahmed, at the Consulate of India.
The photographers are Joshua Kristal, Michael Toolan, Steven Richter, Sandi Higgins, Steve Fisher, Alan McIntyre Smith, Kathryn Myers, Elliott Kaufman, Sasha Bezzubov, Jessica Sucher and Mandy Vahabzadeh – and each has their connection to India.
The show was inaugurated at a jam-packed reception by that well-loved figure, the former president of India, Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam. He got a rock star reception as he spoke heart to heart to the audience about the importance of art in people’s lives, and the work the new generation can do. Always one to encourage art, he stopped to admire various works, and bought five photographs. Now what can be better for a photographer than to have his work in the collection of the President of India?
