ASIAN GRANDFATHERS

India and China represent the two main pillars that hold up a general notion of what we think of as ‘Asianess’. 

Fast forward to the last century, and two men in particular stand out.  Chairman Mao and Mahatma Gandhi.  One was a communist, the other a freedom fighter. Mao was a dictator whose rule contributed to the death of millions of people through starvation, forced labour and executions.  Mahatma Gandhi, on the other hand, stood for ‘Ahimsa’:  ‘Non Violence’.  

Mao has been positioned on the left, representing left brain activity, which is also synonymous to how I view China:  Logical, Practical, Militant, organized, Masculine. 

On the right is Mohandas Gandhi, representing an unorganized, emotional, chaotic, feminine India. 

In today’s economic terms, China leads.  India slowly and painfully limps behind.   

Hundreds of years ago, when the national boundaries were quite different from today, these two countries gave birth to a host of scientific and spiritual thought. Whether it was tea, paper, navigation or Buddha, China and India have been at the frontiers of revolutionary thought.  Today, China manufactures many objects, commissioned by corporations that keep selling us ideas of what we should be. In India, material life is shrouded with poverty and despair.  The only solace for many humans is to close their eyes and go within.  

I believe in the power of symbolism. Both these men are printed on the Indian and Chinese paper currencies and are revered as the ‘fathers’ of modern India and China.  As a result, almost every Indian and Chinese person carries potent symbolism of these two men in their pockets…..every ‘yuan’ or ‘rupee’ shows Mao and Gandhi.  

With this money, objects, people and countries are bought or sold.  Therefore the collaged words of various Asian street signs in the background.  

In Asian culture, older people are respected for their years of experience and wisdom, and we often refer to them as ‘Uncle’, or ‘Grandad’, even if they are not related.  For a joint population of almost 3 billion people, Mao and Gandhi are Asia’s most famous individuals.  They are also each person’s ‘grandfathers’, for they reflect back us to ourselves.  Humanity today, more than ever, represents the contradictory energies of freedom and imprisonment; creation and death. 

The colours in this compostion is dominated by crimson, which is a faded or marinated red.  Fresh blood, when it dries, becomes this colour.  So does a red rose. 

Each Fine Art Print is titled, numbered and signed in Ketna’s handwriting.

Depending on each composition’s ‘personality’, colour spectrum and destined geographical location, the Artwork is printed either as a C-Type print on Fuji gloss paper or as a Giclee print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag paper. (For humid countries e.g Singapore, C-type Fuji paper is advised as it is does not let moisture and mould through)

All Prints are made at the most accredited and reputable Printing studios in London, Singapore or New Delhi, using the best quality fine art archival paper available.

The studio meticulously keeps account of each numbered print, including when and who it was sold to, so there is no chance of duplication.

Each Fine Art Paper Print comes in an edition of 50, so for the three sizes, the total prints ever made will be 150.

Each Metal Print comes in an edition of 25, so for the three sizes, the total prints ever made will be 75.  

Each Acrylic Print comes in an edition of 10, so for the three sizes, the total prints ever made will be 30.

For each composition, there are up to 5 Artists Proofs for colour and production quality checks. The total edition for each artwork is therefore 260.

Each Print is made to order. Please allow 10 working days for delivery.