‘Migration, Identity and Belonging’: International exhibition at the Institut Francais de Maurice

This unique exhibition, taking place until April 29th at the Institut Francais de Mauriuce (IFM), Rose Hill, is bringing together 30 local, regional and international artists. The aim is to exchange and create around universal and recurrent themes: Migration, Identity and Belonging. 

pARTage is a registered, non-profit organisation which exists to provide skills and opportunities to artists and generate greater public appreciation of the visual arts in Mauritius and in the region, together with the Institut Francais de Maurice (IFM) has set up a unique exhibition.

Bringing together 30 local, regional and international artists on the theme ‘Migration, Identity and Belonging’ (Migrations, Identités et Appartenances), the exhibition aims at supporting exchanges, intercultural encounters and putting into perspective creativity. 

The IFM is exhibiting the art works created after two weeks of an international artist's workshop based on a common theme: migrations, these secular movements that constantly question and displace our individual and collective identity. Krishna Luchoomun, project coordinator of the exhibition explains that “as the world becomes more complex, more intertwined and at the same time more fractured, the need for open cultural exchange and understanding becomes most important. Hence we organised an International Artists Workshop on the theme of ‘Migration, Identity and Belonging’ from 1st to 15th April 2017 with the participation of 30 artists.” 

The various artists are: Yann Pocreau (Canada), Zainou Elabidine Ali Mohamed (Comoros), Dagrún Matthíasdóttir (Iceland), Gunjan Tyagi (India), Li Cho Hsien Mathieu (Madagascar), Deepa Bahadoor (Mauritius), Nirmala Luckeenarain (Mauritius), Gerard Foy (Mauritius), Nirmal Hurry (Mauritius), Krishna Luchoomun (Mauritius), Sultana Haukim (Mauritius), Pamela Sunnee (Mauritius), Jason Celine (Mauritius), Pravesh Gungah (Mauritius), Alix Le Juge (Mauritius), Vick Shibdoyal (Mauritius), Nalini Gopaul (Mauritius), Mala Ramyead (Mauritius), Muntasir Koodruth, (Mauritius), Jean Yves Lonfle (Mauritius), Reynald Alaguiry (Reunion/France), among others. 

“How is identity upset by uprooting? What are the memories of the native land? In a context where extremism and intolerance towards difference are blossoming, how do the artists position themselves?,” uttered Krishna Luchoomun, on the aim of the theme.

The event is sponsored by the EU, MTPA, Hennessy Park Hotel, MGI, IOC, IFM and the Ministry of Arts and Culture. The exhibition will be open to the public from 15 to 29 April, Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4:30 pm and Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm at the Institut Francais de Maurice (IFM), Rose Hill.