Chemould artists: Museum Acquisitions⁣⁣

Blue and Gold, 2014⁣
by Desmond Lazaro
Manuscript gilded letters on an indigo-dyed cotton cloth stretched on board. ⁣
243 x 243 cm
Sold to The Art Institute of Chicago⁣ in 2014

⁣This work was first shown at the last of the series of exhibitions curated by Geeta Kapur celebrating 50 years of Chemould (2013 to 2014) titled, 'Aesthetic Bind - Floating World". Subsequently the work was exhibited at the Art Institute at an exhibition curated by Madhuvanti Ghosh, titled, "Gates of the Lord: The Tradition of Krishna Paintings", where this painting of Desmond Lazaro completed the journey of this marvellous and comprehensive exhibition.

⁣In this work, entitled ‘Blue and Gold’, Desmond Lazaro revisited Krishna’s circular dance, though it is to the Sanskrit text rather than to the visual image that he returns. This time he also turned to the medieval Christian illuminated manuscripts tradition, prevalent from the 12th century onward. This technique allows more freedom when translating texts as it was mainly used for the opening or carpet pages of Christian bibles. ⁣⁣

A certain history and mythology are invested in the juxtaposed use of Blue and Gold. These are colors which resonate in almost every culture and relate to both secular and sacred identity: from the blue of Krishna to the Virgin Mary, to Christian Icons, to Yves Klein, and beyond. All have invested a certain history and mythology.