Exhibition: Salamat Hussain’s Art Show
Shirley Mistry tells you about Salamat Hussain’s new art show — 25 Kilos, what inspires him and his association with M.F. Hussain
Salamat Hussain comes from a family that is well acquainted with art. The artist, who is M.F. Hussain’s grandson, says that his first memory of a photograph is that of him into his parents’ arms. “This image then grew to a collection of snapshots of cities, school days, holidays and further education,” he says. His exhibition, titled 25 Kilos, is a montage of snapshots from several cities, including Mumbai, Dubai, London, New York, Singapore and Turkey. The exhibition promises to make you see the sights and sounds of cities such as Turkey, through the vision and thoughts of the artist. The name 25 Kilos, is actually the weight of the equipment that Salamat carried on his travels. “These images are from my travels to Turkey, where I had more equipment than clothes or shoes! Turkey is a harmonious blend of traditional and modern cultures and my impression of the country as a photographer is a mix of this heady, cultural tonic that makes me crave exploring it deeper. There was always something intriguing to shoot, from busy, bustling streets, to the quiet, unpaved lanes,” he says, when we asked him about his experiences while shooting in Turkey.
Salamat’s main area of interest is travel photography. Ask him what his grandfather, M.F. Hussain, had to say about his artistic leaning and he quips, “He was a mentor. He’d always tell me to have my camera ready, as you never know when an opportunity is going to strike. He told me to do what I like doing and not bother about critical opinion.”
A Mumbai-bred Indian with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the State University New York in Animation & Design, and a diploma from the Hallmark Institute of Photography, Salamat got his first opportunity to work and participate in the New York Fashion Week, with designers such as Nico & Adrian, followed by a chance to work at the Brooklyn Fashion Week.
With his heart here in India, his return to the country gave him the opportunity to profile Bollywood composers such as Shankar, Ehsaan & Loy, Sonu Nigam, Kailash Kher and actors such as Bipasha Basu, Farhan Akhtar, Salman Khan, Kangana Ranaut and Vir Das. He has also worked on live acts, including History of India — VIRitten, Walking on Broken Das, The Alchemist, Two to Tango, Three to Jive, The Big Fat City and Blame It On Yashraj.
When Up to June 20
Where Gallery 7, Rampart Row, Kala Ghoda
Contact 22820608