In 1976, 54 leading British artists of that time were sent a playing card by post and asked to make a single artwork. They were free to choose the medium and interpretation of the playing card received.
The resulting body of work travelled to over 22 countries. The success of the show resulted in a physical pack of artful playing cards that are still sold at major art institutions worldwide. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the show, curator Laura Williams has teamed up with India’s contemporary artists to make a new deck that is on display at an exhibition titled “ Taash ke Patte ”. The two decks of cards, which bring together over 100 artists and two countries, are on display at the British Council here.
Speaking about the collaboration, British Council director Rob Lynes said: “We are delighted to showcase a unique and historic collection of artwork that has travelled across countries. It is an opportunity to see what artists can do with mere playing cards and their imagination, which leaves us amazed.”
Sharing how the project was re-born after so many years, Ms. Williams said it all started when she spotted the original works from the deck of cards at a client’s home and immediately knew that she would like to make an Indian deck of cards.
She shared how she journeyed across India to spend time with senior and emerging artists, and spent time in studios that ranged from high-tech spaces in urban centres to kitchen tables inside homes. Ms. Williams said the collection can be viewed both as single artwork or collection of artworks. “Viewing the original and new works, we can question the different approaches made by two artists from different geographic locations and 40 years apart to the interpretation of one playing card. Or in some cases, we can wonder at the very similar interpretation,” she said.
She added that taking the artworks as a whole, one can question the different mediums chosen by the artists “For instance, the 1976 deck of cards had a lot of painting and abstraction, whereas in Taash ke Patte , photography in different forms is more prevalent as is collage.” Taash ke Patte is for sale as single artwork and the buyer also gets the copyright to print physical packs of playing cards.
