Karl Erich Muller’s Lithographs Serve as a Mirror to Society of His Times: Shri Dattatraya Apte.
The Conservation and Archives Division of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) organized an exhibition titled ‘People and Places of India – A Retrospect’ to commemorate International Labour Day. The exhibit featured lithographs by Karl Erich Muller from the IGNCA Archives. Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary of IGNCA, graced the event as the Chief Guest, with Shri Dattatraya Apte, a distinguished lithography and printmaking artist, as the Guest of Honour.
The inauguration of the exhibition was conducted by Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi and Shri Dattatraya Apte, along with the launch of a catalogue showcasing Karl Erich Muller’s works.
Shri Dattatraya Apte expressed a profound connection with Erich Muller through his artistic creations. He elaborated on how Muller’s lithographs serve as a reflection of his keen observations of people and their daily lives, providing insight into the society of his era. Influenced by socialism, Muller depicted the challenges of his time through his art, translating personal experiences into powerful expressions.
Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi highlighted the uniqueness and essence of lithographs, emphasizing their ability to encapsulate ordinary lives. He praised IGNCA as a repository of cultural artefacts and commended the Conservation and Archives team for curating such a relevant exhibition. Dr. Joshi stressed the importance of further endeavors in fostering a culture of inspiration, especially among the youth.
Notable attendees included Prof. Ramesh Chandra Gaur, Varun Jain, and Dr. Kumar Sanjay Jha. Prof. Gaur praised the exhibition for making IGNCA’s cultural archives accessible to the public and emphasized Muller’s works as historical narratives. Dr. Kumar Sanjay Jha introduced the exhibition, showcasing 20 original lithographs categorized into various themes, depicting everyday life in the 1970s. Muller’s works are housed in IGNCA, NGMA, and Bharat Kala Bhawan.
