Niyaz Hussain
| Photo Credit: Prabalika M Borah
At an inclusive art exhibition hosted by Maqaam Foundation at State Art Gallery of Art in Hyderabad, guests can see and hearken to descriptions of the artworks and artists. The three-day art present curated by Delhi-based artist Niyaz Hussain will showcase 50 artworks by 35 artists from throughout the nation. Some of the artists are differently-abled. Niyaz has locomotor disabilities.
The present options works of senior artists and rising artists. Niyaz explains, “What distinguishes this exhibition is its commitment to accessibility. Each artwork will be accompanied by audio descriptions for visually-challenged visitors, and certain paintings will incorporate tactile elements. These accessibility features are provided by accessibility partner Spacefelt, an assistive tech startup based in Hyderabad. This is the first time I am curating this show outside Delhi. The age of the artists ranges from seven to 60-plus.”
Niyaz’s relation with art and his battle as a differently-abled artist led him to start Maqaam Foundation. Having grown up in the slums of Delhi his first-hand expertise with incapacity and art and his want to change into an artist motivated him to consider a option to make it simpler for up-and-coming artists.
Niyaz Hussain, founding father of Maqaam Foundation
| Photo Credit:
Prabalika M Borah
Niyaz says, “The primary aim of Maqaam Foundation is to nurture emerging talent and provide them a platform to express themselves through art. Our aim is to empower the young generation in the slums and give them an opportunity for growth. When I was young, I had no avenue to hone my artistic skills. My only strength was my mother who never treated me as a polio-affected child. She didn’t give me a discount from doing household work or having to go and sell vegetables to make money. After passing out from school, I decided to take up art and that’s when I saw the difficulties that I faced on account of my disabilities, difficulties like the inability to stand for long hours or the problems while working on large canvasses for landscapes.”
He believes art has the ability to unite. He says “Instead of viewing disabilities through the lens of charity, we should be empathetic.”
Inclusive Art Exhibition at State Art Gallery of Art (corridor 4) ends on April 23