INDIA

When Art Overcomes Borders: An Extraordinary Artistic Symbiosis

In an era where digital connections are making the world smaller, a remarkable artistic partnership has emerged that transcends the usual boundaries of the art world. In 2019, artist Seona Sommer discovered a photograph by Indian photographer Anjan Ghosh from Kolkata in the vast space of the internet - an image that immediately captivated her. What began as a respectful request for artistic interpretation developed into a deep bond between two artists.

At the beginning of 2020, shortly before the outbreak of the global pandemic, a group exhibition brought Anjan to Germany, where the two artists also met in person. This moment marked the beginning of an extraordinary “long distance” artistic friendship that has now existed for five years and continues to grow. Anjan's fascinating photographs of rural and semi-urban India not only sharpen the eye for people's everyday lives, but also raise awareness of the social challenges facing these communities. With his big heart and extraordinary talent, the photographer, who is now one of the best in the country, plays an important role in promoting the humanitarian rights of India's people.

Since 2020, Seona has been creating paintings based on Anjan's photographic work - works that regularly attract attention and admiration at exhibitions. For Seona, the focus is not on the political dimension, but on people's everyday lives, because that, she believes, is where it all begins for each and every one of us. Her art goes far beyond mere representation and becomes a channel for empathy and connection in our global society.

This intense collaboration thrives on the foundation of mutual trust and a friendship free from artistic rivalry - a rarity in the art world, where competitive pressure often dominates and realist artists are often reluctant to reveal external influences in their work. The painter and the photographer are united by the deep conviction that personal encounters and the cultivation of friendships are the key to a more peaceful world. Their collaboration is more than an artistic synthesis - it is a living example of how the perceptions of two highly sensitive artistic souls can combine to create something completely new: artworks of unique radiance that combine the best of both worlds, redefining the boundaries of traditional artistic collaboration.