Date: Sep 16, 2009

Hofstra University Museum Presents “Indian Art After Independence: Selected Works from the Collections of Virginia & Ravi Akhoury and Shelley & Donald Rubin First Public Display of Works and First American Presentation

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – The Hofstra University Museum presents an American premiere of works in Indian Art After Independence: Selected Works from the Collections of Virginia & Ravi Akhoury and Shelley & Donald Rubin. The exhibit will be on display October 13, 2009 – December 18, 2009 in Hofstra University Museum's Emily Lowe Gallery, Emily Lowe Hall, south campus. This marks the first public display of this group of works and the first American presentation of many of these modern and contemporary Indian masterpieces.

This exhibition is curated by Rebecca M. Brown, Ph.D., associate professor of History of Art at Johns Hopkins University and author of Art for a Modern India, 1947-1980 (Duke University Press, 2009). Approximately twenty paintings and drawings have been selected from the Rubin and Akhoury collections for this exhibit, which explores India’s embrace of modernity and global culture and offers an interesting window into the passion of the two individual collectors.  The exhibit highlights a dynamic period of Indian art, beginning with the defining moment of modern Indian society: the 1947 establishment of the Indian State.

"As part of its ongoing commitment to enriching our individual knowledge of other cultures through the study of the visual arts, we are pleased to offer this exhibition which highlights contemporary works that reflect India's evolving history and culture,” said Hofstra University Museum Director Beth Levinthal.  “The Museum is particularly honored to share works with the public from two of the foremost collections of Indian and Tibetan art, the Virginia and Ravi Akhoury and the Shelley and Donald Rubin collections."

Along with the opening reception of the exhibit on October 13, 2009 from 5-8:00 pm in Emily Lowe Gallery, there will be a dance performance of original interpretive dances by Hofstra University students which has been choreographed by, Associate Professor of Dance, Robin Becker.  Also in conjunction with the exhibition a day-long trip is planned to the Rubin Museum of Art in New York City.

For more information on this exhibit and associated public programs call (516) 463-5672 or visit the Hofstra University website at www.hofstra.edu/museum .

The Hofstra University Museum has been awarded the highest honor a museum can receive, continued accreditation by the American Association of Museums (AAM). Approximately less than 4 % of museums nationwide have earned this distinguished recognition. Accreditation certifies that the Hofstra University Museum operates according to professional standards, manages its collections responsibly and provides quality service to the public.

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