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Sam Jinks creates intercultural sensation at the India Art Fair New Delhi

Submitted by: MediaLink Productions

The Australian artist, Sam Jinks’ exhibition of four sculptures at the 4th edition of India Art Fair, New Delhi, has created an intercultural sensation amongst dignitaries, international media and Art Fair attendees.

Widespread discussion and attention was directed to Jinks‟ work with media exposure in USA, UK and India referring to the cultural import of the work showing a „new face‟ to Australia.

Lesley Alway, Director, Asialink Arts commented on the Indian Art Fair saying that, „2012 has been designated by the Australian Government as the Year of Australia in India. As a special year for Australia/India cultural relationships it was particularly gratifying to see such strong representation of Australia at the India Art Fair.‟

Jinks‟ work examines the human condition and life cycle through hyper-real sculptures, oft described as „poignantly beautiful and sensitively detailed‟. „The Indian sense of narrative and their poetic reverence to the human life cycle deeply resonated with the Indian audience‟, said Karen Woodbury, Director Karen Woodbury Gallery who manages Jinks‟ work and was one of the two Australian Galleries at the Fair.

„Sam‟s work seeks to define the fragile, as he explores concepts of physical metamorphosis, aging, paternal and familial relationships – these considerations are universal across all cultures‟, said Woodbury.

The works are sculpted in clay, then a process of mould making and casting using silicone, fibre-glass, resin, calcium carbonate and human hair, these works are irresistible in their striking resemblances to real life.

“Small Things”, an image of a new-born baby and frogs attracted the most interest. However another work „Woman & Child‟ depicting an elderly woman standing upright holding a baby, which encapsulates intimacy as two humans at the beginning and end of their lives come together, was surrounded by „crowds wanting pictures next to the piece‟. [http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-art-fair-day-4/1/171052.html]

The India Art Fair is renowned as one of the biggest art exhibitions in south Asia, attracting 91 Indian and International exhibiting galleries, museums and collectors from India and around the world for the five-day modern and contemporary art event. International exhibitors originated from 20 countries including Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, France, Singapore, US, Japan, UK, Greece, Middle East and Australia.

Lesley Alway commented further that „a number of artists and curators were also visiting Delhi to develop new projects for Australian cultural festival that will start in October 2012. India is developing one of the most dynamic art scenes across all art forms and provides rich material for Australian artists to develop new work and collaborate with Indian partners. Working in India is very challenging, but extremely rewarding‟.

Since his first solo exhibition Distortions at West Space in 2005, Sam has held seven other solo shows, Sam Jinks: New Work, New Albion Gallery, Sydney (2011); Sam Jinks, Gippsland Art Gallery, Victoria, Australia (2011); Sam Jinks, Karen Woodbury Gallery, Melbourne (2008 & 2010); Sam Jinks, Benalla Art Gallery, Victoria (2006 & 2008); Sam Jinks, West Space, Melbourne (2007)

Jinks has also participated in numerous group exhibitions, including Diamonds in the Rough, Gertrude Contemporary Art Spaces, Melbourne (2001); Random Access, McClelland Gallery + Sculpture Park, Langwarrin, Victoria (2006); Truth and Likeness, National Portrait Gallery, Canberra (2006-07) and Voiceless, Sherman Gallery, Sydney (2007). Jink‟s acclaimed work The Hanging Man 2005, can be found in the collection of McClelland Gallery + Sculpture Park, Australia, and Woman & Child 2010 is in the collection f the Shepparton Art Gallery, Victoria, Australia and other works throughout various private collections in Australia and abroad including Museo Escultura Figurativa Internacional Contemporánea (MEFIC), Portugal.